In August, HPA alumna Angela Weisner ’03 will assume the role of Upper School Librarian at Dyer Library. After graduating from HPA, Weisner received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from University of Portland, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. Weisner grew up in Kona, and attended HPA from K-12, first at the school’s Kona campus, which closed in the mid-90s. For 8 years, she rode the Hele-On bus or carpooled one hour each way every day between home and school. Weisner will join HPA with nearly a decade’s worth of experience in both public and school libraries in Oregon, Arizona, and—most recently—North Kohala.
What makes you excited about leading a school library?
Libraries are all about access to learning in many different forms, and there are so many different ways that libraries can provide that access to their patrons. A school library can serve as a learning commons—as a connector of teaching professionals, a community collaboration and teaching space, a place for learning technologies, a place for school enrichment… as well as the traditional book checkout and provider of e-resources.
What are your main goals for both the short and long term?
My short-term goal is to get to know the students and faculty and learn about how the school has grown and changed since I was a student. This will help me have a better idea of the kinds of needs that the students and teachers have. And honestly that is also a long term goal, as needs can grow and change with new students and faculty. I will also spend some time learning about the collection and the library. From there I can set collection development and program goals. My other long-term goal is to create a space that is welcoming and well-used by both faculty and students… that is seen as an important resource by the community and a space for students to both study and connect with each other. I hope to foster relationships with faculty members and provide resources that can enhance their curriculum.
What do you remember about the HPA library when you were a student?
The Upper School librarian when I attended HPA was Dr. Judith Kautz. She was my advisor and the mother of one of my classmates and friends, Will Curb ‘03. I knew her pretty well and she supported me throughout my high school years at HPA. I was assigned to the library for my work program as a sophomore and as a prefect my junior year. It surprisingly never dawned on me to pursue a career in libraries until much later, and then my connection to libraries early on became apparent.
What are your interests outside of libraries?
I love pretty much anything to do with water. It is a personal goal of mine to acquire a kayak and a stand-up paddleboard and head to the beach most weekends. I also enjoy running—although I’m definitely not as fast as I used to be—and attending barre classes. When it’s safe to travel again I plan to make yearly trips to places I’ve never been. Greece is the first on the list, with my good friend from Arizona.