Biography

Courtney B. Lerner's Professional Biography

So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries.

— Kurt VONNEGUT

I Started my Master's Degree in 2008 at the San Jose State University and completed my degree in 2010. But, my experience in library services and teaching go further back.

In 1997 I began my undergraduate career at The Evergreen State College, in Washington State. A very progressive school, Evergreen helped formed a love of learning and philosophy of the process of education that is still with me today. During this time, I began to work at a Barnes and Noble Booksellers. I lead my first storytime here and began an ever long romance with books and information. I also worked in my first library on campus as a work-study program to help pay for my education. While at school I studied a wide variety of topics from general physics, women's literature, and French art, history, and literature. I graduated in 2000 with a liberal arts degree and a wide educational base suited perfectly for information studies and education.

After college, and moving home to California to continued to make my way by working in bookstores. My passion for books always made it easy for me to both earn a living and be a lifelong learner. In 2002, I began working as a page in The Beverly Hills Library only taking a leave to finish my teaching credential and teach during 2004-06. During this time I completed a teaching program at Cal State Northridge and I did my student teaching in a magnet school. I also substituted in both Encino and Los Feliz Elementary Schools, for long term jobs. The experience and expertise I gathered during this time was crucial for my future.

In order to continue my education and complete my Master's degree in Library and Information Science, I took a permanent position back at The Beverly Hills Library teaching and coordinating The Family Literacy Workshop. My teaching experience came in handy as I re-entered the library system with a new edge: a background in educational theory and technique. In 2008 I started school and my new career with an intense commitment.

In the literacy program I branched out and began training tutors with my literacy team, as well as, began teaching a computer basics class to Adult ESL/Literacy students. All the while I continued with my MLIS education and focused on teen and children services. I also took a great interest in reference services and look forward to working with patrons in and their reference needs. Luckily my experience on the job was as rich as my MLIS education. As a result of working in tandem between school and BHPL, I am more then prepared to enter the work force with an edge. I can't wait to get started! The learning has just begun!