Janet Bailey
Abilene,TX
Summary
Technical services professional with strong expertise in managing complex projects and leading technical teams. Adept at troubleshooting, personnel management, and ensuring seamless operations. Highly reliable, adaptable, and results-driven with strong focus on collaboration and effective communication. Known for strategic problem-solving, proactive leadership, and deep understanding of industry standards and technologies.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Technical Services Manager
Abilene Public Library
08.2007 - 06.2025
- Managed the personnel, workflow, and $500K book budget of APL Technical Services Department to include cataloging, collection development and acquisitions for three branches.
- Supervised up to five support personnel and created teams from the 40+ library staff to do short term projects like rewriting the Library Collection Development policy and the Graphic Novel team to provide future guidance on how resources were spent and the collection handled and maintained.
- Worked with Abilene Library Consortium managing a common catalog database, as part of their cataloging committee, and served on multiple task forces regarding the future of the ILS and reviewing products.
- Implemented RFID technology in three branches of the public library.
- Organized City of Abilene historical resources for transcription, proofreading, scanning and metadata entry into the West Texas Digital Archive. This project was eventually uploaded to the Portal to Texas History and can be viewed there.
- Created visual training module for resource processing procedures.
- Worked closely with vendors to maintain quality control over the collection.
- Managed the preservation of the Abilene Reporter News to microfilm.
- Performed reference duty in Genealogy and Reference.
- Implemented cross-training of personnel into the greater library culture.
- Implemented Interlibrary Loan service for all 3 branches of the Abilene Public Library.
- Served on Ebsco Discovery Committee and Disaster Preparedness for the Public Library.
- Received a grant to fund mobile educational technology training equipment for the Main branch of the Abilene Public Library.
- Developed training programs for staff on emerging technologies and library systems.
- Fostered partnerships with community organizations to expand digital literacy programs.
- Conducted regular assessments of technology usage to inform strategic decisions on resource allocation.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and best practices, ensuring optimal performance of technical services department.
Interim Information Services manager
Abilene Public Library
01.2021 - 06.2025
- Managed four personnel in Adult Information Services for Abilene Public Library.
- Worked with Adult services including a 24 station computer lab, Genealogy collection, Maker Space, public space management and programming.
- Maintained database budget, database purchasing, implementation and training.
- Managed the Serials budget, purchasing, cataloging and processing.
- Managed budget allocations to optimize resource utilization for various library projects and services.
- Oversaw staff training programs, fostering professional development and improving service delivery standards.
- Collaborated with local organizations to expand partnerships, enhancing program offerings and community involvement.
- Evaluated user feedback to inform service improvements, ensuring alignment with community needs and expectations.
- Mentored junior team members in skills development, fostering a positive work environment and promoting professional growth.
Interim Branch Manager
Abilene Public Library -Mockingbird Branch
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Managed the day to day needs of nine personnel at the Mockingbird branch during a protracted period of hiring a new manager.
- Worked closely with the professional staff on implementation of a new collection, partnering with local Elementary schools for literacy nights, and successfully hosting a Workshop that invited Librarians from the Big Country to hone their skills in Databases, Teen programming, Local Archiving, Children's programming and Innovative Librarianship.
- Led team training programs to improve staff skills and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
- Fostered relationships with local businesses to increase community engagement and branch visibility.
- Continuously monitored branch performance against key performance indicators, taking corrective actions as needed to ensure objectives were met or exceeded.
- Maintained friendly and professional customer interactions.
- Collaborated with senior leadership on strategic planning initiatives to align branch objectives with corporate goals.
Access Services/Curriculum Librarian
Oklahoma Baptist University
09.2005 - 07.2007
- Managed all aspects of policy, procedures, instruction and statistics for interlibrary loan and the curriculum library departments.
- Utilized OCLC, Ariel, Clio and Sirsi to perform ILL/Curriculum library tasks and used Web 2.0 technology for interlibrary loan and curriculum promotion.
- Supervised all acquisitions, processing, cataloging and shelving activities for the curriculum library, trained students in current trends in patron service, managed the curriculum library budget, designed and monitored work of 10-14 student workers, set semester goals, inventoried collection regularly and monitored call number quality control with frequent Sirsi reports.
- Provided liaison support to Education, Art, Music, Journalism and Communication Arts Departments and monitored liaison book budgets (about 50% of faculty).
- Encouraged and provided library instruction by lecture, classroom/office visits, and online tutorials. Helped students design and find resources for living museums and hands-on science projects. Taught pre-service teachers to use Teacher Education materials.
- Performed reference duties 8-10 hours per week at reference desk.
- Created and updated library web pages using PureCMS software.
- Served on multiple university committees.
- Kept up with current library trends and maintained an active presence in the state library organization (OLA).
- Developed and maintained collaborative partnerships with academic departments to align library services with institutional goals.
- Evaluated library systems and processes, driving improvements in operational efficiency and user experience.
- Supervised library staff, providing mentorship and guidance to enhance team performance and service delivery.
- Catalogued and organized books, materials and other documents for proper library management.
- Organized community outreach programs to promote library resources and engage local populations in learning opportunities.
- Researched and acquired new library materials to maintain updated library collection.
- Trained and supervised library staff, volunteers and other personnel.
- Assisted students in locating and using library resources and assisted teachers with materials needed to enrich classroom instruction.
- Enhanced library user experience by effectively organizing and maintaining a diverse collection of resources.
- Managed acquisition process for new materials, ensuring the library''s collection remained current and relevant.
Administrative Assistant/Curriculum Library Supervisor
Oklahoma Baptist University
12.2004 - 08.2005
- Served as office manager, maintaining and ordering supplies as needed for all offices and all machinery.
- Coordinated internal special events, and kept accurate records of billing and payroll.
- Trained and managed 9 student workers to perform functions necessary to maintain a curriculum library in the absence of a full-time employee, including cataloging in Sirsi.
- Supervised the reclassification, weeding and shifting project of the curriculum library's 10,000 volumes.
- Conducted orientations to the curriculum library.
Internship
University of Oklahoma LIS 5823 Moore Public Library
05.2005 - 07.2005
- Interned 135 hours in the Moore Public Library, Moore, Oklahoma.
- Provided services in reference, children's story time, young adult book discussions, and super reading summer programs and events, processed lending, and shelved.
- Worked in circulation and helped train patrons in new self-check system.
- Designed projects for young adult programs.
- Shadowed the director to understand political and financial concerns of public libraries.
- Toured the technical processing facility and observed flow of resources which provided for a 12 branch system.
- Developed subject guide of children's literature to help children understand divorce.
Curriculum Library Supervisor
Oklahoma Baptist University
08.2004 - 12.2004
- Redesigned facility for disabled accessibility and resource location for easier access.
- Cataloged resources, weeded collection, managed 7 student workers and a $15,000 budget.
- Instituted online check out of resources.
- Design work to create a website for the curriculum library and a database for book orders in Microsoft Access.
- Collaborated with academic departments to align library resources with curriculum needs, supporting student success initiatives.
- Mentored junior staff in best practices for reference services, contributing to overall team knowledge and expertise development.
- Collaborated with other librarians on special projects aimed at enhancing the user experience within the library setting.
- Improved overall functionality of the library space by overseeing facility maintenance and upgrades as needed.
Interlibrary Loan Assistant
Oklahoma Baptist University
08.2001 - 07.2004
- Worked with Clio, Ariel, and Sirsi programs.
- Researched online resources, ordered through OCLC, processed arrival and dispersion of lending materials, distributed materials and retrieved interlibrary loans when due for OBU.
- Maintained accurate records of lending and borrowing interlibrary loans.
- Wrote procedures and trained students in office protocol.
- Provided assistance at the reference desk.
Career and College Counselor/Library Technician
Oak Park High School
01.1994 - 01.1995
- Maintained Ventura County library procedures and shaped procedures to fit the needs of a high school library in this hybrid working environment.
- Worked with Interlibrary loans and searched the University of California library system for materials.
- Counseled students in college and career planning.
- Presented college information seminars for parents of Jr. and Sr. High school students in the district.
Educator
Big Bend Community College
10.1989 - 01.1991
- Instructor, Armed Forces Language and Acculturation Program (FLIP) 1989-1990. Taught German language and culture to American service personnel based in Nuremberg, Germany.
- Instructor, Armed Forces Pre-college Program. 1989-1990.
- Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP) taught reading skills, test-taking strategies, and word knowledge.
- Advanced Skills Education Program (ASEP) taught non-commissioned officers practical knowledge in public speaking, counseling, military writing skills, information briefings and performance based training evaluation to American service personnel based in Nuremberg, Germany
Language Instructor
Studio SSM
01.1990 - 12.1990
- Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance language acquisition.
- Facilitated immersive language experiences through interactive activities and cultural exploration.
- Evaluated student progress and provided constructive feedback to foster improvement.
Education
Master of Arts - Masters of Library And Information Science
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK08-2005
California Teaching Credential - Professional Clear Single Subject in German and History
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA06.1995
Bachelor of Arts - History And German
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA01.1988
Skills
- Staff development
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Organizational skills
- Excellent communication
- Department management
- Database management
- Resource allocation
Affiliations
- 2015-present Anti-human trafficking committee, Highland Church of Christ.
- 2014-2021 Workforce Board
- 2013-2014 Chair, TLA District 1.
- 2012-2013 Chair elect TLA Big Country Area Section 1.
- 2011 Tall Texan Leadership Institute
- 2011-21 Taylor County Adult Literacy Council Secretary
- 2008-present TLA
- 2008-2009 Secretary-treasurer, TLA District 1.
- 2007 Secretary, Community of Oklahoma Instruction Librarians (COIL). COIL is a special interest section of the Oklahoma Chapter of College and Research Libraries (OK/ACRL). Elected by COIL membership
- 2006-2007 Co-Chair OLA store Marketing Communications Committee. Worked on the “Read Y'all” Oklahoma campaign and received an award at the OLA state meeting 2007.
- 2005-2007 OLA
- 2005- present ALA
Certification
California Clear Credential in German and History K-Adult Education.
Presentations/Publications
- Working with the Hispanic Heritage Committee in Abilene Texas to preserve cultural heritage. Community Webs Symposium, San Francisco, California May 23, 2023.
- New Gale Databases in Texas. Big Country Workshop, Abilene, Texas March 6, 2023.
- From a Librarian’s perspective, Book review of “A Thousand Sisters by Lisa Shannon. ACU Peace Conference, March 2, 2014.
- “Smart Phones, I Pads, Kindles and Tablets: how they are changing how libraries do business.” TLA District 1 meeting, October 5, 2013.
- “Creating metadata description based on anticipation of user intent.” Digital Frontiers September 19, 2013 at University of North Texas in Denton.
- “XXI Club.” TLA DLRT Meeting April 17, 2013, Fort Worth Convention Center.
- West Texas Digital Archive: Abilene Public Library Perspective. District 1 Meeting on October 1, 2011 at Abilene Christian University.
- “Exploring underserved populations and their programming needs” Big Country Library System podcast, Abilene, TX, Jan. 19, 2011.
- West Texas Digital Archive presentation to Public Library Board.
- “Exploring underserved populations and their programming needs” Big Country Library System workshop, Abilene, TX, February 9, 2010. Examined programming needs of learning disabled, ADD and Visual Spatial learners.
- Exploring our diversity: in honor of Professor Brenda Van Dunk. A four-part book club series about race and reconciliation. Spring 2009. Organized series through the public library in conjunction with United by Faith.
- “Literature that changes lives.” Presentation for Women's Retreat, Hinton, OK, September 8, 2006.
- Bailey, Garry and Janet Bailey. "Generation X and the socialization process at church". Christian Scholars conference 1996 papers: David Lipscomb University, July 18-20, 1996.
- "Generation X and the local church". Presentation for Los Angeles Church Administration, Woodland Hills, CA. June 1996.
Awards
Staff Member of the Year for the Abilene Public Library 2022
Languages
German
Limited Working
Timeline
Interim Branch Manager
Abilene Public Library -Mockingbird Branch
01.2023 - 12.2023
Interim Information Services manager
Abilene Public Library
01.2021 - 06.2025
Technical Services Manager
Abilene Public Library
08.2007 - 06.2025
Access Services/Curriculum Librarian
Oklahoma Baptist University
09.2005 - 07.2007
Internship
University of Oklahoma LIS 5823 Moore Public Library
05.2005 - 07.2005
Administrative Assistant/Curriculum Library Supervisor
Oklahoma Baptist University
12.2004 - 08.2005
Curriculum Library Supervisor
Oklahoma Baptist University
08.2004 - 12.2004
Interlibrary Loan Assistant
Oklahoma Baptist University
08.2001 - 07.2004
Career and College Counselor/Library Technician
Oak Park High School
01.1994 - 01.1995
Language Instructor
Studio SSM
01.1990 - 12.1990
Educator
Big Bend Community College
10.1989 - 01.1991
Master of Arts - Masters of Library And Information Science
University of Oklahoma
California Teaching Credential - Professional Clear Single Subject in German and History
Pepperdine University
Bachelor of Arts - History And German
Pepperdine University