Your name, current work place and position (for students, please tell us what school you’re attending and if you have chosen a specialization):
Katrina Nye
Librarian
Woodridge Elementary
Bellevue School District
Where did you attend school for your MLIS degree?
I obtained my MLIS degree through San Jose State University.
How long have you been an APALA member? Why did you first join? Are you currently involved as an officer/committee member/other volunteer?
I have been an APALA member for 7 years going on my 8th. I joined while I was in library school, because I wanted to find a professional organization that would reflect who I am and also have the resources and opportunities that would understand my background and perspective.
This year I was co-chair with Xuemin Zhong on the Family Literacy Committee: Talk Story. Concurrently I was also chair of the Picture Book Literature Award Committee.
We’re very interested in highlighting the diversity of ethnic/cultural heritage within APALA. Please share your ethnic/cultural heritage with us and any other background information, as you feel comfortable.
My father is from Hong Kong and my mother is from the Philippines. I myself was born and partly raised in Canada. Growing up there were so many languages spoken around me, but unfortunately I can only speak English.
My husband is also a quarter Japanese and his family is 5th generation Japanese American. His great grandparents actually met in the internment camps. With such a rich cultural and ethnic mix, I try my best to make sure that my two young sons are aware and appreciative of all aspects of their heritage.
What aspects of librarianship are key to your personal satisfaction at work? Please share some of your professional goals and interests.
My professional interests lies in finding and advocating for more stories of marginalized populations. Working on Talk Story was great, because I would learn about so many cultures and histories that I did not know even existed.
I also love advocating for diversity in children’s literature. I did not find the book I needed as a child until I was 21, (Grace Lin’s Dog Days). As a result, I want to make sure that future generations do not have to wait nearly as long.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
It is through APALA that I got my first experience being on a literature committee, co-hosting a webinar, being co-chair on a project, and meeting so many wonderful library professionals. I am so thankful and proud to be a part of this great organization.