ABOUT US
Our Mission
NIESL empowers school library staff in the Inland Empire with support, resources, and professional development to strengthen library programs, promote literacies, and nurture life-long learners.
Our Story
The idea for this network developed from observing the lack of professional support and networking between school libraries across the Inland Empire. NIESL seeks to fill that void with its grass roots approach to networking and professional development by providing a platform that addresses school librarians' needs. It is our hope that NIESL becomes a place where school librarians feel valued, empowered, and that their students will benefit from this collaboration.
Faces of NIESL
Angela Corbett
Network Coordinator
Angela has taught in a variety of environments throughout her career as an educator. She started as an instructor at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium educating the public on a variety of marine topics. Eventually, she became a middle school social studies teacher until she discovered the role of the Teacher Librarian. She has been a Teacher Librarian since 2005.
Amelia Lafleur
Network Coordinator
Amelia began as a library paraprofessional in 1997. Since then, she has worked as a Library Specialist in three districts, and as a librarian for academic and public libraries. She applies the skills and knowledge from previously running a bookstore to promoting libraries and literacies in public schools. Currently, she is on assignment for her district. Her passion is combining technology and literacies to create experiences that draw students into reading and learning, while nurturing their curiosity as independent thinkers.
Dominique Cooper
Event Coordinator
Dominique realized her love for the library while taking her daughter on weekend excursions to the public library. She nurtured that love and it grew into a bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Science from The University of Southern Mississippi. While studying for her bachelor’s, she played a lead role as a volunteer at the public library. Dominique enjoys programming for young adults and is passionate in her current role as a middle school librarian.
Cheryl Brubaker
Newsletter Editor
Books have informed most of Cheryl’s working career. After completing a BA in English she began working in publishing. She continues to follow her love of the written word by working in a middle school library and copy editing books as a freelancer. Publishing and the work of a library are complementary pursuits and she’s fortunate that she never had to choose one over the other. She firmly believes that there are books for everyone; we just need to work a little harder to help reluctant readers find theirs.
Christine Juedes
Social Media Coordinator
Christine has enjoyed working in libraries since high school, with experience in archives, the public library, academic library, a consortium and school library. She obtained a B.A. in psychology from Azusa Pacific University, but her love of the public library motivated her to get a Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. She currently is privileged to impact the lives of young people as a high school librarian.
Claudia Mason
Advisor/Contributor
Claudia’s education journey began as an elementary teacher at Redwood Elementary in Fontana California. She found her love in the library and earned her Masters of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. She has been the Coordinator of Library Services for Fontana Unified School District for 20 years. Claudia is also a proud Lilead Fellow through the Lilead Project; an organization dedicated to the study, support and the building of strong school library leaders.