School Librarian Leadership Program Advisory Board

PSU Librarian Leadership Program Advisory Board

Statement of Purpose

The role of the Plymouth State University School Librarian Leadership Program Advisory Board is one of advice, leadership, and advocacy — assisting the Program Coordinator by pointing out:

  • significant opportunities
  • recommending approaches to new challenges
  • suggesting ways to raise the program’s profile

The Board brings together the interests and expertise of a wide variety of school library leaders dedicated to the success of candidates in the program.

In-Person Meetings

The program coordinator meets individually with members of the board to discuss topics in depth.

Members of the Board

Susan D. Ballard
A former Director of Library, Media, and Technology in NH, she guided her district to the National School Library Media Program of the Year Award recognition. She has also served as President of both the New Hampshire School Library Media Association (NHSLMA) and the New England School Library Association (NESLA) and as an adjunct professor and lecturer in a variety of school librarian preparation programs. She developed an innovative, competency-based program at Granite State College for the University System of NH.

A Past-President of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) – a division of the American Library Association (ALA), Susan served as a member of the Standards and Guidelines Editorial Board, responsible for the development of the National School Library Standards for Learners, Librarians and School Libraries (and) the AASL/ALA Committee to revise and align Standards for the Preparation of School Librarians with the new National Standards. She is also a member of the Digital Empowerment for Every Family (DEEF) subcommittee for the State of New Hampshire’s Division of Health and Human Services Whole Families effort.

Susan has published books and articles in a variety of professional and scholarly journals and has edited and contributed to several books. Among numerous honors, she was the 2025 recipient of AASL’s Distinguished Service Award, the first-ever recipient of the NH Excellence in Education Award (EDie) for Library Media Services, and a charter inductee of the New England School Library Association Hall of Fame.

Caitlin Bennett
A Digital Learning Specialist and Library Media Specialist in Londonderry, NH. Caitlin received the Outstanding

Pamela Carr
A former Director of Library, Media

Rachel V. Small
A former Director of Library, Media

More information

For more information about the School Library Leadership Advisory Board, please contact:

Pam Harland
Clinicial Associate Faculty
Plymouth State University, School of Education
pcharland@plymouth.edu