natalie braham

My professional goal is to obtain a position at a branch library in a large, diverse, urban public library system.  My current experience as an on-call librarian at the Denver Public Library reaffirms my commitment to serving a diverse, urban population of library users. I have a particular interest in early literacy, especially for speakers of second languages, as well as adult programming, visual merchandising in libraries, and providing exceptional reference services for patrons of all ages and backgrounds.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Proven ability to partner with community organizations and perform library outreach to create new library programs for patrons of varying ages and backgrounds

Experience providing approachable and enthusiastic reference and user services that promote literacy and lifelong library use for patrons of all ages

Exceptional knowledge of reference services, collection management practices, children’s services, and assisting library patrons with a wide range of technologies

Strong ability to maintain a highly professional and welcoming demeanor when working with children, parents, caretakers, and other library staff in a demanding environment

Experience supervising library support staff, including circulation staff and volunteers

Demonstrated commitment to professional development, leadership, and continuing education within the library profession

Exceptional skills in working both independently and in a team environment

Excellent time management and project management skills

Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish

 

 

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, Denver, Colorado

Master of Library Information Science // 2009-2011

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER, Denver, Colorado

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature; minor in Art History  // 2004-2008

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Galicia, Spain

Advanced Certificate in Hispanic Linguistics //       July & Aug. 2008

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY |  Denver, Colorado

On-call Reference Librarian // June 2011-Present

 

COLORADO SUPREME COURT LIBRARY | Denver, Colorado 

Law Librarian Assistant // Oct. 2008-Present

 

DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY | Ross-Barnum and Woodbury Branches

Library Intern // March 2011-June 2011

 

DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY | Ross-Barnum Branch

Bilingual Craft Instructor // Jan. 2011-May 2011

DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY  | Woodbury Branch

Community Learning Plaza Assistant // Aug. 2010-Dec. 2010

 

ESCUELA DE GUADALUPE  | Denver, Colorado

Bilingual Library Intern // May 2010-Sept. 2010                                                                                   

JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY  | Belmar Branch Library Children’s Department

Children’s Services Intern // June 2010-Aug. 2010

 

PENROSE LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF DENVER  | Denver, Colorado 

Library Assistant II, Electronic Course Reserves // Feb 2009-July 2009

 

BRIDGE LINGUATEC, INC.  | Denver, Colorado

Teaching English as a Foreign Language Intern // Jan. 2008-May 2008

 

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO LIBRARIES  | Auraria Visual Resources Collection

Student Cataloging Assistant IV  // May 2005-Sept. 2007

Evaluation of Natalie Romano at the Jefferson County Public Library--Belmar Branch Children's Department, 2010 

Comments on professionalism and competency. 

Natalie is knowledgeable in the use of technology and resources available to answers to patron requests. She worked well with children and adults. We had her assist some on our Children’s information desk. 

When I reviewed Jefferson County Public Library’s policies on confidentiality and intellectual freedom, she was already knowledgeable of good practices for both of these areas. 

What were the student’s particular strengths. 

Natalie required very little day to day direction. She came and would inquire to see if there was any particular thing we needed help with. I really value self-starters as we have a very busy library. Natalie is definitely a self-starter. After checking in and if we had nothing else we needed help on, she would go right to work on the two projects I had assigned her. 

The first of these was to compile a list of websites for children in Spanish. Natalie is fluent in speaking Spanish. I gave her specific criteria that I was looking for. Some of these are: the children should not be required to login and therefore possibly disclose personal information; there should not be too many pop-up adds that are distracting and confusing for children; and there should be a minimum of 3 clicks to get to a game or activity. Natalie completed this list. She checked in with me periodically, so I knew how she was doing. We are going to being using most of these websites on our re-designed section of the Children’s webpage for children who speak Spanish. 

The second project was to prepare a story time with crafts for children, ages 6 to 10, and then present this story time in July. Prior to the preparation, we had her sit-in on some the other librarians were doing. Natalie presented an interesting story time and crafts involving artists. The children enjoyed it. 

In what area(s) might the student improve? I did not identify any specific areas that she needed to improve. Natalie is enthusiastic. She was a willing worker. We had her help with Book Award Day (attendance was about 1500 that day). Natalie will only get better with practice. If she goes into the Children’s librarianship, she will need to keep working on her reader’s advisory skills by continuing to read as many Children’s and Teen’s books as possible. 

General Comments: Natalie is easy to work with. She is quiet, but has enthusiasm for librarianship. She is willing to work hard on any task assigned. She was of great assistance in the selection of websites for children in Spanish. I think she will be a great asset to the library profession.