Susanna Chan's Portfolio

My goal as a professional librarian is to make the library an essential part of the community and to promote diversity.

Since December 2013, I work as the Director of the Metuchen Public Library, a member of the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium in New Jersey with a diversity community of about 13,000. Before that, I served as the Department Head in the Children’s Department for over nine years at the South Brunswick Public Library, also a member of the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium, another town with a very cultural diverse community of population around 45,000.

I have experience in fiscal management, personnel management, long-range strategic planning, work contract negotiation, marketing, public relations, fund-raising, grant writing, information management and facility management. In addition, I am familiar with library laws and regulations, modern technology and skillful in using social media to promote library services. I am also very capable of capable of analyze complex issues and implement effective solutions, multitasking and meet deadlines. The following are some of the tasks that I have accomplished:

At Metuchen Public Library:

• Improved the library’s financial situation with more efficient use of resources
• Improved staff productivity and morale by regular meetings, training and improved working environment
• Connect the library with the Borough government, schools, local organizations, small businesses and the community with open conversations, meetings, partnerships and collaborative projects
• Improved the image and visibility of the library by social media, meet the needs of the community, marketing and staff training on customer service and technology
• Improved library collection with e-contents e.g. Hoopla (an all-in-one platform database for movies/TV series/e-audio/e-book/e-comic/e-music streaming) and Universal Class (500 online continuing education courses taught by real instructors with 24/7 access via the internet)
• Improved accessibility by installed automatic doors for the entrances, a new ADA compliant service desk and some ADA compliant shelves that are more accessible for people with disabilities or seniors
• Updated policies and job descriptions
• Wrote policies that are much needed e.g. personnel manual
• Started the first ever Strategic Planning process
• Renovated the meeting room into a multi-purpose room
• Renovated a storage room into a makerspace
• Created an art gallery to connect to the art community
• Conducted regular 3D design/printing, robotics, coding, and other STEM workshops for students from K-12
• Started cultural events such as Chinese New Year and upcoming Festival of Colors
• Work with staff to create a new library website
• Incorporated new technology into library operation: online program registration, self-checkout, wifi monitoring system, online event calendar, overhead projector and sound system
• Increase library visitors by 7% within one year of appointment (12/2013 to 12/2014)
• Increase library programs by over 12% and program attendance by 27.4% (Jan-Dec 2013 vs Jan-Oct 2015)

At South Brunswick Public Library:

• Planned and balanced the children’s book budget, the children’s audio-visual budget and the programming budget.
• Improved material circulation by 51.31% since 2005.
• Unified cataloging for easy access to the collection and online searches with a cataloging map.
• Improved communication with the township schools with school visits, library visits, email communications and meetings.
• Joined partnerships with township departments, local businesses and nonprofit organizations to organize events and activities to share resources.
• Planned and organized family cultural events such as July 4th Party, Chinese New Year Party, Celtic Party, India’s Festival of Lights celebration, Family Fun Festival etc. to promote cultural understanding among different ethnic groups.
• Helped to draft the South Brunswick Public Library’s three year strategic plan 2008-10 and 2011-13.
• Represented library workers on the work contract negotiation committee with CWA, Local 1031, AFL-CIO for the 2009-11 and 2012-14 work contract and Job Description Committee in 2013.