Presentations:
You’ve Got it Made: Exploring the Maker Culture (2013 New Jersey Library Association PreConference)
Conversation Starter: How to Deal with Challenging Behaviors in the Children’s Area (2013 New Jersey Library Association Conference)
Programs for Children with Autism and their Families (2012 New Jersey Library Association Conference):
Customer Service (South Brunswick Public Library Staff Training Workshop):
Create Online Interactive Projects with Scratch
Library Operation and Job Responsibilities
Special Projects:
In Metuchen Public Library:
- Updated existing policies and wrote 14 new policies plus the personnel manual
- Updated all job descriptions and reorganized job assignments
- Setup a makerspace and an art gallery
- Renovated the meeting room, the storage room, and pending renovation of the library’s lower level
- Planned and organized the NJ Maker Day with demonstrations, miniworkshops, and activities e.g. robotics, littleBits, StoryStarter, coding, Makey Makey, origami, “pile of junk” creations.
- Planned and organized the Grand Opening of the Metuchen Makery (makerspace) with speeches and presentations by Trustees, Friends, Mr. Lemelson and families from the Lemelson Foundation, and evening receptions. Attendance includes the public, Trustees, Friends, teachers, school officials and township Council members.
- Manage the Lemelson Grant ($50,000) for library technology improvement and STEM programs for students from kindergarten to 12th grade
- Started cultural programs e.g. Chinese New Year and Festival of Colors (pending)
- Created a new book collection, a summer reading collection and an easy non-fiction collection in the Children’s Room
- Reorganized the main collection to improve accessibility
- Help to plan and organize the Fund Raising events of the Friends of the Metuchen Library e.g. Book Sale, Wine and Paint etc.
- Started the library volunteer appreciation event
- Started the library staff appreciation event
- Organize, plan, and oversee the library booth activities at the annual Metuchen Country Fair
- Replaced worn out library furniture including furniture for staff use with high quality and affordable ones
- Replaced expensive/inefficient service contracts with reliable contractors that provide affordable and high quality services
In South Brunswick Public Library:
- Helped to set up South Brunswick Public Library’s maker space
- Set up and acquire funding for technology programs for children and teens e.g. robotics, Scratch, Makey Makey, LEGO StoryStarter
- Set up an early literacy center for children ages 0 to 4
- Started a tween collection
- Started programming for tweens (4th to 7th graders)
- Started programming for children with special needs
- Leveling beginner readers for easy access
- Organize an annual Family Fun Festival with local businesses and non-profit organizations at Reichler Park during summer
- Started cultural programs e.g. Chinese New Year Celebration, India’s Festival of Lights Celebration, Celtic Party, Mardi Gras party
- Unified cataloging
- Reorganized children’s holiday, CD-Rom and music collection
- Set up a “series” collection
- Started a graphic novel collection
Susanna Chan's Portfolio 