National Library Workers Day – Get to Know NNLM Region 6!

Posted by Miles Dietz-Castel on April 5th, 2022 Posted in: Blog, From the GMR, General
Tags: National Library Week, National Library Workers Day

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Did you know that April 5th marks National Library Workers Day. This is a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. We thought this would be a perfect time to get to know some of the staff in the NNLM Region 6 office!

 

Derek Johnson
Derek has been with NNLM since 2016 and in the role of Associate Director since 2020. If he’s not exploring child-friendly activities with his 4-year-old daughter, you might find him on the golf course, at a brewery, or binge-watching streaming TV. He’s currently reading the Essentials of Strategic Management as he wraps up the final course of his MBA program. After 7 years in Iowa, Derek and his family relocated to Minneapolis, where he now works remotely.

 

 

 

Erica Lake
Serving as Medical & Academic Library Outreach Coordinator is Erica’s dream job. She gets to help health sciences librarians shine at work by providing training and engagement opportunities, and she gets to collaborate with talented and generous colleagues. She is as excited about librarianship today as she was 29 years ago when she entered the field. Erica is based in Duluth, MN and takes full advantage of the trail system outside her front door to run, bike, hike, and ski. She is currently reading Rohinton Mistry’s 1995 novel, A Fine Balance.

 

 

Bobbi Newman
In addition to her outreach and education work with public libraries, Bobbi serves on the board of Let’s Move in Libraries and is the author of the forthcoming book Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Guide for Libraries. She is an avid gardener and gamer, a casual bicyclist, and a proud dog mom.  She is currently reading Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone by Diana Gabaldon and Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick by Maya Dusenbery.

 

 

Jacqueline Leskovec
Jacqueline Leskovec, MLIS, MA, RN is the Network Coordinator for Region 6. Jacqueline has worked for NNLM since 2005. She has spent her entire professional career in health care and health information access, which includes 17 years as an RN. She maintains her nursing license. Jacqueline and her partner, also a librarian, have a rescue fur family of four cats and one dog and reside in a Chicago workers’ cottage that they have been rehabbing for the last 12 years. In addition to home remodel and repair, Jacqueline is an avid cyclist, gardener, and general tinkerer. Jacqueline is currently reading Writing on the body: Female Embodiment and Feminist Theory, also The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain.

 

 

Miles Dietz-Castel
Miles has been with NNLM since 2018 and serves as the Communications and Finance Coordinator. When he is not playing fetch or taking neighborhood walks with his 3 dogs, Miles enjoys trying out various craft projects. He is currently trying his hand at cross-stitch and quilting. He is currently reading Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook by Christina Henry. As Communications Coordinator he wanted to remind everyone to follow NNLM Region 6 on Twitter and Facebook!

 

 

 

Nora Barnett
Providing training and outreach as Health Professions Outreach Coordinator is a great fit for Nora’s interests in public health and health information access. Her focus areas include health literacy, environmental health, and reducing barriers to evidence-based practice. Outside of work, she can often be found hiking, biking, exploring city parks, and perusing produce at the farmers market. She enjoys listening to short stories read by their authors on the New Yorker’s “Writer’s Voice” podcast. 

 

 

Darlene Kaskie
As a Community Engagement Coordinator, Darlene Kaskie, M.L.S., connects libraries & non-profit and faith-based organizations to funding & resources to advance consumer health literacy and digital health literacy. Darlene also raises awareness of the social determinants of health & the importance of access, use, & understanding of health information by creating ready-to-use programs such as the NNLM Reading Club & the Consumer Guide to Advance Health Information Equity. She currently is listening to the Audible book, Canary in the Coal Mine. She enjoys researching her family ancestry, binge-watching Netflix, & seeing her college-age daughters grow up.

 

 

Linda Walton
Linda has been involved with the NNLM for much of her career, as both a PI and as an associate director. She is passionate about community outreach and quality health information. Some of her favorite activities include singing and talking with her 5-year-old granddaughter on FaceTime, binge streaming shows such as the Vikings and Star Trek Discovery and collecting antique majolica pottery. Opening up the camper to begin summer fun is a high priority. She is currently reading, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.