CSD Board Candidate Profile: Bryce Kozla

The ballot is open for CSD's 2019-2020 Board of Directors! Cast your vote any time between now and Wednesday, June 19.

Candidate Profile: Incoming Chair

Bryce Kozla, Washington County Cooperative Library Services

​Experience
I have substantial experience as a project manager which I believe would serve me well as co-Chair of CSD. As a leader, I prioritize relationships and want to be sure a variety of perspectives are included. I especially am interested in making considerations through equity and trauma-informed care lenses. This sometimes can make change less immediate, but psychological safety of a group moving through innovation is really important to me.
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I began working in libraries as a front-line school services librarian at La Crosse Public Library in Wisconsin. I’ve worked as a Youth Services Librarian at WCCLS since 2015. I am a passionate advocate for Youth Services staff and the families of our community, and consider this advocacy a huge part of my job.

In 2017, WCCLS adopted a Youth Access Card in an effort to remove barriers to access for children attending school in Washington County. In order to support Youth Services staff in getting the new patron type implemented, I attended meetings, gave presentations, and had team and one-on-one chats with multiple stakeholders. While the journey was a bit messy, I learned a lot and am excited to keep working toward a model that will ensure that more children are able to get library cards. The first year saw nearly 2,000 new registrations made possible by the Youth Access Card!

​I’ve served on several committees dedicated to library work:

• 2011: Cybils Award: Round 1 panelist, Book Apps (this was the first year Book Apps were awarded)
• 2012: Wisconsin Library Association Conference committee, local arrangements
• 2013-2014: Read On Wisconsin! Literary Advisory Committee (Cooperative Children’s Book Center)
• 2015: STAR_Net Libraries Community editor
• 2014-2016: AASL/ALSC/YALSA Interdivisional Committee on School/Public Library Collaboration (foundational work on the Public Library & School Library Collaboration Toolkit)
• 2016-2018: ALA Center for the Future of Libraries Advisory Group (recruited for appointment as the inaugural Youth Services representative; helped shape the Symposium on the Future of Libraries at ALA Midwinter and the Future of Libraries Fellowship)

Additionally, I just finished my time as co-Chair of our local Northwest Regional Educational Services District’s Early Intervention Advisory Council.

Candidate statement
Having worked in Oregon for nearly four years, I’m feeling like I am getting a handle on what makes our state so unique and the structure of OLA. I’ve gotten so much from CSD already; I value the welcoming nature of our state’s Youth Services staff that helped me feel at home pretty quickly. I’m prepared and eager to give back and to continue and enhance the culture of sharing and community that I’ve seen so far in my involvement with CSD. I’m also excited for the opportunity to strengthen and support involvement by library staff all over the state. I believe that we’re stronger together and look forward to examining ways to make that togetherness a more inclusive reality. 
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If you could be any children's book character, what character would you be?
This is a tough one! Right now I’m feeling like it’d be cool to be Murky from the series The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, if only to able to really pull off adding words like “stooky” and “nostrul” to daily conversation. Growing up I always wanted to be the eccentric aunts/uncles that are all over the place in middle grade novels; and I’m pretty sure I’m just a few hoop skirts and a loud bowling shirt away from reaching that goal.    

Bryce is running as co-chair with Stephanie Goodwin from Jackson County Library. Vote for this dynamic duo before Wednesday, June 19!

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