Beta Phi Mu 2021 Election - Board Members and Officers
Following is the complete text of the biographical information for candidates for Vice President/President Elect, and Directors/Director-at-Large positions. For text of proposed by-laws changes please see the information here.
Vice President/President Elect -- 3 year term (2021-2024). Please vote for one.
Benjamin J. Pensiero, Reference Librarian at the Monroe Township Public Library in Williamstown, NJ, has been a member of the University of Texas at Austin Chapter of Beta Phi Mu since 1996. Pensiero earned his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Arizona. He earned his M.L.I.S. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1995. His career in libraries began in 1987 when he worked at the circulation desk of the Main Library at the University of Arizona, and as a shelver.
Later, while living in San Francisco, Pensiero worked in law libraries and began planning a career in librarianship. After graduating from the University of Texas, He started his career as a public librarian in the Texas Border town of Harlingen. There he learned the importance of public libraries, and was fascinated by the cultural diversity in South Texas. Throughout his working life, he has sought out libraries serving diverse communities, and has thrived in providing information services, programming, and education to his clientele. In San Marcos, Texas, he managed the local history collection, wrote a weekly newspaper column, taught basic computer classes, and was involved in children’s programs.
In Garland, Texas, Pensiero was responsible for adult collection development for a 5-library system in a city of 225,000 residents. Later he worked as a Children’s Librarian there, and was responsible for increasing participation in the Summer Reading Program significantly. In his next position, at the New Braunfels Public Library, Pensiero worked initially as a cataloger, before serving as Interim Library Director. His work in New Braunfels revolved around building strong adult programming. Pensiero was responsible for creating a “Classic Film Series,” which became the library’s most popular program for adults, and through his efforts an Adult Summer Reading Program thrived. He also started a lecture series and a concert series. Pensiero worked diligently at promoting the library in the community with regular press releases, outreach, and monthly talks at the local Workforce Center, at which he taught job seekers how to use the library’s online employment tools, and promoted library services and programs.
After retiring in 2016, Pensiero returned to New Jersey, and began working at the Atlantic City Free Public Library. There, in an urban setting with many economically disadvantaged residents, his efforts focused on assisting job seekers navigate the complexities of the online employment process. He found this work challenging and gratifying, and the experience of assisting the unemployed gave him a clear sense of the enduring value of the public library.
In his 25-year a career as a librarian in public libraries in Texas and New Jersey, Pensiero has strived always to help the public, and to help the public library be an integral part of the cultural and educational life of the community.
He wishes to serve as Vice President for Beta Phi Mu primarily to continue his work in service to the profession, and to help the society achieve its goals of promoting librarianship as important and vital in the 21st-century by encouraging a new generation to take part in the challenging tasks that lie ahead. Chapter Affiliation: At-large.
Adrienne Teague serves as the teen librarian for the Rudisill Branch of the Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) system. In her 15 years with TCCL she has provided a range of diverse programming, information, and services. For example, she hosts an annual African American History Bowl for students in grades 6-12, as well as community groups, who compete for trophies and prizes by answering questions about a selected topic. In 2020 she was awarded a library award for her leadership in planning and coordinating the biggest Bowl in the history of the Rudisill Branch. The topic for the Bowl was the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre that took place just blocks from her library and has not been taught in school until recently. Also, in her role as teen librarian, she serves her community by visiting local schools to talk about what the library has to offer students and to describe the new children and young adult books available for checkout. Adrienne employs her Reader’s Advisory skills through the Your Next Great Read (YNGR) program. The YNGR asks customers to complete a survey about the books they like or don't like and what they're looking for to read next, and she uses the information to create a guide of authors and titles that fit the customers’ requirements. The culture of the TCCL library system is about encouraging people from many different backgrounds and experiences to become librarians. Adrienne believes she can bring this to the Society and extend it further by encouraging librarians to expand their education and enhance the profession through intentional marketing and provision of stimulating workshops and conferences. Chapter Affiliation: Pi Lambda Sigma
Benjamin J. Pensiero, Reference Librarian at the Monroe Township Public Library in Williamstown, NJ, has been a member of the University of Texas at Austin Chapter of Beta Phi Mu since 1996. Pensiero earned his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Arizona. He earned his M.L.I.S. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1995. His career in libraries began in 1987 when he worked at the circulation desk of the Main Library at the University of Arizona, and as a shelver.
Later, while living in San Francisco, Pensiero worked in law libraries and began planning a career in librarianship. After graduating from the University of Texas, He started his career as a public librarian in the Texas Border town of Harlingen. There he learned the importance of public libraries, and was fascinated by the cultural diversity in South Texas. Throughout his working life, he has sought out libraries serving diverse communities, and has thrived in providing information services, programming, and education to his clientele. In San Marcos, Texas, he managed the local history collection, wrote a weekly newspaper column, taught basic computer classes, and was involved in children’s programs.
In Garland, Texas, Pensiero was responsible for adult collection development for a 5-library system in a city of 225,000 residents. Later he worked as a Children’s Librarian there, and was responsible for increasing participation in the Summer Reading Program significantly. In his next position, at the New Braunfels Public Library, Pensiero worked initially as a cataloger, before serving as Interim Library Director. His work in New Braunfels revolved around building strong adult programming. Pensiero was responsible for creating a “Classic Film Series,” which became the library’s most popular program for adults, and through his efforts an Adult Summer Reading Program thrived. He also started a lecture series and a concert series. Pensiero worked diligently at promoting the library in the community with regular press releases, outreach, and monthly talks at the local Workforce Center, at which he taught job seekers how to use the library’s online employment tools, and promoted library services and programs.
After retiring in 2016, Pensiero returned to New Jersey, and began working at the Atlantic City Free Public Library. There, in an urban setting with many economically disadvantaged residents, his efforts focused on assisting job seekers navigate the complexities of the online employment process. He found this work challenging and gratifying, and the experience of assisting the unemployed gave him a clear sense of the enduring value of the public library.
In his 25-year a career as a librarian in public libraries in Texas and New Jersey, Pensiero has strived always to help the public, and to help the public library be an integral part of the cultural and educational life of the community.
He wishes to serve as Vice President for Beta Phi Mu primarily to continue his work in service to the profession, and to help the society achieve its goals of promoting librarianship as important and vital in the 21st-century by encouraging a new generation to take part in the challenging tasks that lie ahead. Chapter Affiliation: At-large.
Adrienne Teague serves as the teen librarian for the Rudisill Branch of the Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) system. In her 15 years with TCCL she has provided a range of diverse programming, information, and services. For example, she hosts an annual African American History Bowl for students in grades 6-12, as well as community groups, who compete for trophies and prizes by answering questions about a selected topic. In 2020 she was awarded a library award for her leadership in planning and coordinating the biggest Bowl in the history of the Rudisill Branch. The topic for the Bowl was the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre that took place just blocks from her library and has not been taught in school until recently. Also, in her role as teen librarian, she serves her community by visiting local schools to talk about what the library has to offer students and to describe the new children and young adult books available for checkout. Adrienne employs her Reader’s Advisory skills through the Your Next Great Read (YNGR) program. The YNGR asks customers to complete a survey about the books they like or don't like and what they're looking for to read next, and she uses the information to create a guide of authors and titles that fit the customers’ requirements. The culture of the TCCL library system is about encouraging people from many different backgrounds and experiences to become librarians. Adrienne believes she can bring this to the Society and extend it further by encouraging librarians to expand their education and enhance the profession through intentional marketing and provision of stimulating workshops and conferences. Chapter Affiliation: Pi Lambda Sigma
Directors/Director-at-Large - 2 year term (2021-2023). Please vote for up to three.
Kimberly Michelle Gay is the Head of Reference and Information Services, Academic Reference and Instruction Librarian II at the John B. Coleman Library of Prairie View A&M University- a Texas A&M University System. She has more than 20-years of academic librarianship. Gay is an active member and 2003 Spectrum Scholar for both the Texas Library Association and the American Library Association. Texas Library Association organizations include: Divisions: College & University Libraries; Round Tables: TLA Black Caucus- member and Councilor Alternate 2007-2010, Councilor 2010-2013, Scholarship Chair 2010-2014, Chair-Elect 2014-2015, Chair 2019-2020, TLA Executive Board Representative at Large- Academic 2015-2018 ; Library Instruction Round Table-Member, Local History and Archives/Genealogy- member and Chair-elect 2007-2008- Chair- 2008-2009 and Reference Round Table); TLA district areas that she is associated with are: Distinct 5- Northeast Texas, District 7- North Texas and District 8- Houston. She also was appointed to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Appointment to TexShare Education Services Working Group 2007-2013. Gay was appointed to the Texas Library Association's Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List Task Force committee 2010- Chair Elect 2013-2014, Chair 2014-2015; TLA Topaz Adult Non-Fiction Reading List 2018-2021; The TLA Awards Committee 2018-2019. Presented at D8 and D5 Conferences. Presented programs and workshops at 2005-2019 TLA Conferences Texas Library Association's 2012 TLA Houston Conference Planning Committee 2010-2013. The American Library Association organizations include: Black Caucus; Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL); Reference and User Services Association (RUSA); Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS). President of Beta Lambda Chapter of Beta Phi Mu (International Library and Information Studies Honor Society (Texas Woman's University) 2014-2015. American Library Association's National Worker's Day Website. April 17, 2007 and 2021. Library Staff Star. Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas is where she received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Mass Communication and a double minor in Sociology/ Fashion Merchandising and Marketing graduating Magna Cum Laude, 3.89 GPA. She received a Master's of Science Degree in Library Science and Information Studies, Suma Cum Laude, 4.0 GPA from TWU as well. She is a Lifetime inductee and member of the Beta Lambda Chapter of Beta Phi Mu (International Library and Information Studies Honor Society with TWU and UNT. She has presented more than 100 library workshops and sessions at the American Library Association Conferences, Texas Library Association Conferences, Texas A&M University Library conferences, Texas Distance Learning Conferences, University of Houston, Prairie View A&M University, Houston and Harris County Public Libraries. Chapter Affiliation: Beta Lambda.
Lisa Hussey is an associate professor at the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons University where she teaches a wide range of courses, including Management, Information Services, International and Comparative LIS, Readers’ Advisory, and Information Ethics. Her research interests include diversity in LIS, professional identity, and mentoring. She received a Ph.D. in Library Science from the University of Missouri; a Masters’ of Art in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona; and a Bachelor’s of Art in History from the University of Miami. Her experience in libraries includes school libraries, academic libraries, and a short time as a prison librarian. Lisa has been a member of Beta Phi Mu since 2000. Prior to entering LIS, Lisa worked in retail management. When not teaching, she enjoys running, spending time with her husband Ian and her dog Moochie, and a range of crafts, including both quilting and knitting. She can be reached at [email protected]. Chapter Affliation: Beta Beta
Elizabeth (Beth) Jones is the Director of Library Technology & Data Management at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), Max Chambers Library. Dr. Jones has been a member of the Lambda Chapter of Beta Phi Mu since 2006, serving as President-Elect and then President from 2019-2021. In her 16 years in library management positions, Jones has had the privilege of working in technical services, access services, archives, serials, government documents, systems, and emerging technology departments. Jones has been an active volunteer to professional organizations serving as President, Treasurer, Webmaster, Secretary, Development Coordinator, and Board Member in organizations such as OK-ACRL, BPM Lambda Chapter, COIL, SIGALO, NASIG, ELSUG, ALA, MLA South Central Chapter, ExLibris Primo Working Group, and the OU-SLIS Advisory Board. Jones spearheaded the initiative to create an endowment for OK-ACRL during her tenure as President and continues to try and raise money for this endeavor as the Development Coordinator. Chapter Affiliation: Lambda Chapter
Jennifer Steele is an Assistant Professor in the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She earned both her MLIS degree and her Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from The University of Alabama, completing the degrees in 2013 and 2017 respectively. She brings with her years of professional experience working as an academic librarian. Her research focuses on intellectual freedom, censorship, and information access. Chapter Affiliation: Professional Member
Dwain Posey Teague is the Director of Development at the School of Library and Information Science and School of Education, North Carolina Central University. He served as the Emerging Technologies and Outreach Librarian for the North Carolina Wesleyan College Pearsall Library from January 2019 – March 2021 prior to joining North Carolina Central University on March 8. Dwain served as a Librarian at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus (Miami-Dade County, FL) and at Robeson County Public Library in Lumberton, NC. Dwain’s passions within librarianship include: equity, diversity, and inclusion library-wide (services, outreach, collections, instruction, etc.); teaching library instruction; teaching information literacy; emerging technologies; collection development; library management and user spaces.
Before becoming a Librarian in 2018, Dwain served as an academic library fundraiser for 20 years, securing philanthropic support for libraries at UNC Chapel Hill; North Carolina State University; East Carolina University; and the University of Central Florida. He secured approximately $60M in donor support over the course of his fundraising career.
Dwain has presented at library and fundraising conferences and has published two articles and a book chapter. Dwain is a proud member of Beta Phi Mu – the Library and Information Science Honor Society and holds the Public Librarian Certification via the State Library of North Carolina. He currently serves on the American Library Association Committee on Literacy and the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Dwain holds the M.L.S. from the North Carolina Central University School of Library and Information Science; the M.A. in English from East Carolina University; and the B.S. in Communications from East Carolina University. Chapter Affiliation: Beta Xi
Kimberly Michelle Gay is the Head of Reference and Information Services, Academic Reference and Instruction Librarian II at the John B. Coleman Library of Prairie View A&M University- a Texas A&M University System. She has more than 20-years of academic librarianship. Gay is an active member and 2003 Spectrum Scholar for both the Texas Library Association and the American Library Association. Texas Library Association organizations include: Divisions: College & University Libraries; Round Tables: TLA Black Caucus- member and Councilor Alternate 2007-2010, Councilor 2010-2013, Scholarship Chair 2010-2014, Chair-Elect 2014-2015, Chair 2019-2020, TLA Executive Board Representative at Large- Academic 2015-2018 ; Library Instruction Round Table-Member, Local History and Archives/Genealogy- member and Chair-elect 2007-2008- Chair- 2008-2009 and Reference Round Table); TLA district areas that she is associated with are: Distinct 5- Northeast Texas, District 7- North Texas and District 8- Houston. She also was appointed to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Appointment to TexShare Education Services Working Group 2007-2013. Gay was appointed to the Texas Library Association's Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List Task Force committee 2010- Chair Elect 2013-2014, Chair 2014-2015; TLA Topaz Adult Non-Fiction Reading List 2018-2021; The TLA Awards Committee 2018-2019. Presented at D8 and D5 Conferences. Presented programs and workshops at 2005-2019 TLA Conferences Texas Library Association's 2012 TLA Houston Conference Planning Committee 2010-2013. The American Library Association organizations include: Black Caucus; Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL); Reference and User Services Association (RUSA); Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS). President of Beta Lambda Chapter of Beta Phi Mu (International Library and Information Studies Honor Society (Texas Woman's University) 2014-2015. American Library Association's National Worker's Day Website. April 17, 2007 and 2021. Library Staff Star. Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas is where she received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Mass Communication and a double minor in Sociology/ Fashion Merchandising and Marketing graduating Magna Cum Laude, 3.89 GPA. She received a Master's of Science Degree in Library Science and Information Studies, Suma Cum Laude, 4.0 GPA from TWU as well. She is a Lifetime inductee and member of the Beta Lambda Chapter of Beta Phi Mu (International Library and Information Studies Honor Society with TWU and UNT. She has presented more than 100 library workshops and sessions at the American Library Association Conferences, Texas Library Association Conferences, Texas A&M University Library conferences, Texas Distance Learning Conferences, University of Houston, Prairie View A&M University, Houston and Harris County Public Libraries. Chapter Affiliation: Beta Lambda.
Lisa Hussey is an associate professor at the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons University where she teaches a wide range of courses, including Management, Information Services, International and Comparative LIS, Readers’ Advisory, and Information Ethics. Her research interests include diversity in LIS, professional identity, and mentoring. She received a Ph.D. in Library Science from the University of Missouri; a Masters’ of Art in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona; and a Bachelor’s of Art in History from the University of Miami. Her experience in libraries includes school libraries, academic libraries, and a short time as a prison librarian. Lisa has been a member of Beta Phi Mu since 2000. Prior to entering LIS, Lisa worked in retail management. When not teaching, she enjoys running, spending time with her husband Ian and her dog Moochie, and a range of crafts, including both quilting and knitting. She can be reached at [email protected]. Chapter Affliation: Beta Beta
Elizabeth (Beth) Jones is the Director of Library Technology & Data Management at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), Max Chambers Library. Dr. Jones has been a member of the Lambda Chapter of Beta Phi Mu since 2006, serving as President-Elect and then President from 2019-2021. In her 16 years in library management positions, Jones has had the privilege of working in technical services, access services, archives, serials, government documents, systems, and emerging technology departments. Jones has been an active volunteer to professional organizations serving as President, Treasurer, Webmaster, Secretary, Development Coordinator, and Board Member in organizations such as OK-ACRL, BPM Lambda Chapter, COIL, SIGALO, NASIG, ELSUG, ALA, MLA South Central Chapter, ExLibris Primo Working Group, and the OU-SLIS Advisory Board. Jones spearheaded the initiative to create an endowment for OK-ACRL during her tenure as President and continues to try and raise money for this endeavor as the Development Coordinator. Chapter Affiliation: Lambda Chapter
Jennifer Steele is an Assistant Professor in the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She earned both her MLIS degree and her Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from The University of Alabama, completing the degrees in 2013 and 2017 respectively. She brings with her years of professional experience working as an academic librarian. Her research focuses on intellectual freedom, censorship, and information access. Chapter Affiliation: Professional Member
Dwain Posey Teague is the Director of Development at the School of Library and Information Science and School of Education, North Carolina Central University. He served as the Emerging Technologies and Outreach Librarian for the North Carolina Wesleyan College Pearsall Library from January 2019 – March 2021 prior to joining North Carolina Central University on March 8. Dwain served as a Librarian at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus (Miami-Dade County, FL) and at Robeson County Public Library in Lumberton, NC. Dwain’s passions within librarianship include: equity, diversity, and inclusion library-wide (services, outreach, collections, instruction, etc.); teaching library instruction; teaching information literacy; emerging technologies; collection development; library management and user spaces.
Before becoming a Librarian in 2018, Dwain served as an academic library fundraiser for 20 years, securing philanthropic support for libraries at UNC Chapel Hill; North Carolina State University; East Carolina University; and the University of Central Florida. He secured approximately $60M in donor support over the course of his fundraising career.
Dwain has presented at library and fundraising conferences and has published two articles and a book chapter. Dwain is a proud member of Beta Phi Mu – the Library and Information Science Honor Society and holds the Public Librarian Certification via the State Library of North Carolina. He currently serves on the American Library Association Committee on Literacy and the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Dwain holds the M.L.S. from the North Carolina Central University School of Library and Information Science; the M.A. in English from East Carolina University; and the B.S. in Communications from East Carolina University. Chapter Affiliation: Beta Xi
