AMELIA SHELLEY - FACT SHEET
LIBRARY EMPLOYMENT
Executive Director
Garfield County Public Library District
Rifle, Colorado
December 2007 – present
Manager, Youth and Outreach Services
Laramie County Library System
Cheyenne, Wyoming
September 1997 – November 2007
Graduate Assistant
Education and Social Science Library
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
August 1996 – August 1997
Library Aide
Nucla Elementary School
Nucla, Colorado
August 1995 – June 1996
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Literacy Outreach – Board Member
Raising a Reader – Board Member
Rifle Rotary Club – Youth Committee, Grants
TOP 10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT PUBLIC LIBRARIES
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Trusting people to borrow things and
bring them back (in a timely manner)
Staying current on technology
Caring about our communities
Providing free, high-quality early
literacy instruction
Non-discriminatory service
Finding almost anything for our patrons
Providing sanctuary
Dedicated, passionate staff
No two days at work are alike
You never go home smelling like
French fries
BOOKS I’VE READ IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS
All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Dorr
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the
Making of the Princess Bride - Cary Elwes
The Buried Giant - Kazuo Ishiguro
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the
Lusitania - Erik Larsen
The Life-changing Magic of Tidying-up Marie Kondo
The Martian - Andrew Weir
The Meaning of Human Existence - E. O.
Wilson
The Rise - Sarah Lewis
A Tale for the Time Being - Ruth Ozeki
Transatlantic - Colum McCann
PERSONAL
Married, two adult children
Previous careers in microelectronics
manufacturing, natural foods, and casting
television commercials
Hobbies include quilting, hiking, skiing,
travel, long walks, cooking, gardening,
laughing, and watching baseball and soccer
TO THE FVRL COMMUNITY:
Thank you for the opportunity to share a few things about myself and my career as a librarian. I’ve been
fortunate to work for two great library organizations in my career and am seeking the opportunity to be
your next Director. I’d like to share why I think I’m uniquely qualified and what I can bring as a leader to
FVRLD.
I believe twenty-first century libraries are more than e-books and maker spaces. They must embrace a
passion for learning and exploration, and create opportunities for success for everyone in the
community, whether they enter the door, access the website, or encounter the library in the community.
Well managed and marketed libraries create bridges to move users beyond their circumstances and
build a better future for themselves and others.
In my current position I have been extremely fortunate to oversee a $28 million capital effort that
resulted in six new library facilities between 2009 and 2013. Through this process I developed a clear
understanding of the operations of each building, and ensured that the final products would meet
present and future needs. We focused on creating sustainable facilities that are “cheap to keep” in an
effort to provide good value for the tax payer’s dollar. Prior to being at Garfield County Libraries, I was
the Youth and Outreach Services Manager and part of the team that created the 103,000 square foot
library facility at the Laramie County Library System in Cheyenne, Wyoming that was the 2008 Library of
the Year.
I know that improving public service is a continuous effort. Since coming to Garfield County I have been
instrumental in implementing a number of major changes impacting public service including
streamlining materials ordering and processing, negotiating lower pricing for ILS services, implementing
RFID, self-check and sortation, standardizing policies and procedures across six branches, and
developing our digital branch. I work to maintain a current knowledge of trends and developments in
libraries of all sizes and encourage staff to do the same through weekly all-staff emails and targeted training.
I recognize that building a vision of library service for each community starts with library staff. I endeavor
to build and maintain a culture of trust, shared knowledge and empowerment among employees so that
they can provide exceptional service to co-workers and patrons. I believe we can never be better than the
support we provide to the staff on the front line. In the past year, my organization has implemented a new
evaluation system that utilizes core competencies and training to allow all staff the same opportunities to
learn and excel. I believe in professional development at all levels and look for creative ways to achieve it
cost effectively.
While in Vancouver, I hope I get to meet and speak with each of you personally. If selected, I intend to get to
know your communities and libraries in order to understand your unique needs and aspirations. I believe
public libraries are the best place to build civic engagement and that it takes all of us working together to
achieve that goal. I appreciate your consideration for this exceptional opportunity to lead FVRL toward a
successful future.
Sincerely,
AMELIA SHELLEY