PRESIDENT: GABRIELLE CASIERI PRESIDENT@NJASL.ORG

Gabrielle “Gab” Casieri (she/her) was inspired to pursue her MLIS while volunteering in her children’s elementary school library. Gab graduated from Rutgers School of Communication, Information and Library Science (SCILS) in 2009. She worked in the Fine Hall Library at Princeton University and the Hopewell Branch of the Mercer County Library System before landing her dream job at Lawrence Intermediate School in 2011. Gab previously chaired the NJASL Standards Subcommittee, the Annual Conference Signage Committee, and was selected as the Ruth Toor Outstanding School Library Media Specialist of 2022. She is passionate about connecting students and staff with books they love to foster lifelong literacy and advocates for mental health for everyone.

President Elect: IVETH MOLLINEdo YELEGEN  presidentelect@njasl.org

Iveth Mollinedo Yelegen began her career as a 3rd-grade teacher and after 4 years in the classroom, transitioned into the role of School Library Media Specialist. Her entire experience in education has been in the school and district she attended as a student- Cliffside Park in Bergen County NJ. She earned her B.A in Early Childhood Education/Spanish Language and Literature and her M.A. in Educational Technology with SLMS certification from New Jersey City University. She recently earned her MLIS Degree from San Jose State University. She is a library enthusiast and has also worked part-time in numerous public libraries for the past 15 years. Aside from being a librarian, some of her favorite hobbies are cooking, crafting, trying new "eats" and spending time with her family and newborn.

Vice President: amy Penwell VP@njasl.org

Amy is a School Library Media Specialist with over 10 years of experience in K-8 school librarianship. She is a team lead for the New Jersey Association of School Librarians / New Jersey Library Association Regional Response Team, supporting librarians dealing with censorship, mobilizing local supporters of intellectual freedom, and advocating for the right to read for all New Jerseyans. Amy is dedicated to the work and purpose of NJASL, recognizing the vital role the organization plays in advocating for and supporting school librarians.

Treasurer: April BArry treasurer@njasl.org

April Barry (Bunn) completed her MLIS at Rutgers, serving as the student liaison to NJASL’s Board, launching her into committee and leadership roles. She’s grateful to have been selected as an ALA Emerging Leader Class of 2008, sponsored by NJASL, and the Villy Ghandi Leadership Scholarship. She previously served on several committees and the Executive Board, including Conference Chair in 2011, just as extreme state budget cuts forced her back into the classroom. She worked part-time at Red Bank Public LIbrary and restarted her SLMS career at Red Bank Regional High School in 2017. If she’s not planning her next trip, April’s probably outside hiking or cycling. She’s grateful to be back serving NJASL. 

Member-at-Large: Kerry Weinstein  membersatlarge@njasl.org

Kerry Weinstein has been a librarian for over ten years, starting out at public libraries in Hoboken and Fort Lee. She now works as the librarian/media specialist at Bayonne High School, in her hometown. She is passionate about creating a vital, dynamic library program for all her students, and putting Hudson County libraries on the map. Kerry is an alumna of Rutgers University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English at Douglass College and Master of Library and Information Science from the School of Communication and Information. She lives in Bloomfield with her husband.

SECRETARY: NANCY MEGLIO  SECRETARY@NJASL.ORG

I have been a member of NJASL (formerly EMANJ) for twenty years and currently serve as Co-Chair Membership Committee. Retired since July 2023, my most recent position was a Middle School Librarian in the Plainfield, New Jersey School District. Prior to retirement I also worked at the elementary and college education levels as a school librarian. While employed in the Plainfield, New Jersey school district, I was member of the Union Middlesex Association of School Librarians and in a previous position, was a member of the Essex/Hudson County Association of School Librarians. I received my M.L.I.S. degree from Rutgers University in 2003, and returned back to Rutgers a few years later to accrue twenty-four additional credits in school library media and educational coursework. I enjoy reading, walks, museums and movies and am very excited to serve as Secretary for the New Jersey Association of School Librarians.

Immediate Past President: Karen Grant  pastpresident@njasl.org

Karen Grant, MEd, MLIS has been a media specialist for the Ewing Township Public Schools since 2015. She began her career in education as a special education teacher in the district. Her experiences with struggling readers over the years led her to become a reading specialist. In this role, Karen realized the depth of her love of literature and information literacy. With the encouragement of a beloved school librarian and colleague, she began her studies at Rutgers University to become a librarian. Today, Karen is honored to lead the board as well as the team of volunteers that makes NJASL the vibrant, impactful organization it is today.