This committee is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to early literacy advocacy, gain experience working on an award committee, and build your resume!
We look for librarians or early childhood professionals who are passionate about books for children ages birth through 5 years old and sharing early literacy with children and their caregivers, and those who advocate, champion, and seek diversity in the books they share.
As part of the CLEL Bell committee, there is community and camaraderie for the love of picture books and early literacy combined!
Meet the English CLEL Bells Committee
Holly Van Hoy (she/her)
Chair – 2027 Committee (Co-Chair – 2026 Committee)
Holly Van Hoy comes to youth services library work with fifteen years of experience in early childhood education. With a fierce belief that quality picture books are for and should represent everyone, Holly has delighted in being allowed to be the loudest librarian at Alamosa Public Library in Alamosa, CO for the past 7 years. In a recent move to her home state of South Carolina, Holly continues her early literacy advocacy in her work at Richland Library. This is her fifth year with the CLEL Bells.
Alexa Bynum (she/her)
Co-Chair – 2027 Committee
Alexa Bynum Soto is an Early Literacy Librarian at the Arapahoe Library District. She has worked in public libraries for over five years. Alexa is passionate about connecting caregivers with services and resources the library provides. This is her third year on the CLEL Bell Committee. When not at work, Alexa can be found running, reading, or spending time with her border collie.
Mary Ann Lawler (she/her)
Media Lead 2027
Mary Ann Lawler is a Children’s Librarian at Broomfield Public Library in Broomfield, Colorado. She worked in non-traditional educational settings varying from theatre and music to technology before returning home to a love of children’s books and libraries. Trained in Family Place Libraries, Mary Ann champions libraries as welcoming community spaces and teaching literacy and math skills through multi-sensory play-based experiences. She loves reading and sharing diverse books, supporting parents and caregivers, and encouraging kids’ curiosity and self-expression. This is Mary Ann’s sixth year on the CLEL Bells Committee, serving most recently as Chair for the 2026 Committee.
Lourdes Cabral (she/her/ella)
Hangout Lead 2027
Lourdes Cabral is currently the bilingual Children’s Guide at Anythink Huron Street in Thornton, Colorado. She is passionate about early literacy, dancing and grooving with children during music and movement programs, and bringing more Spanish programming to the library. She has been a judge for the International Latino Book Awards for the past 5 years. Her mission is to create awareness to Spanish-speaking families and FFNs about all the free programs and resources offered at the library for all age groups. Outside of the library, she can be found doing various crafts, hiking, reading, eating, and watching movies.
Sharona Nible (any/all)
Hangout Lead 2027
Sharona Nible (AKA Mrs. Flamingo) is a kindergarten teacher, literacy advocate, and nonprofit founder who believes that books, art, and a strong community can change a child’s life. An educator first and a former children’s librarian, she now brings both perspectives into her work, creating playful, creative literacy experiences that blend storytelling, art, and connection.
She is currently pursuing her MLIS at the University of Denver, with an anticipated graduation in Summer 2027, and is spending this summer working as a librarian at LVPL doing adult programming, continuing to build meaningful community connections through library programming.
Sharona is the founder and executive director of The Flamingo Book Club, a nonprofit that partners with elementary schools, libraries, and community organizations to get free books into the hands of kids, while fostering a love of reading, building meaningful community partnerships, and hosting creative community literacy events.
When she’s not in the classroom or planning her next program, you can find her reading, painting, skiing, biking, and finding any excuse to be outdoors.
Kristin Jardien (she/her)
Practice Lead 2027
Kristin Jardien is the children’s librarian at the Erie Community Library branch of the High Plains Library District. She has been involved with children’s services for ten years. Her undergraduate degree is in microbiology and she’s extremely grateful to have found her calling in librarianship. Kristin loves working with children and watching them learn and grow. She doesn’t even mind when babies drool on her! She doesn’t care for glitter but will occasionally allow it to save other parents from having to use it at home.
Ali Kubeny (she/her)
Practice Lead 2027
Originally from the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Ali Kubeny now lives and plays in the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not working her dream job as a Children’s Librarian at the Bellingham Public Library, you can often find her snuggled up with a stack of picture books or exploring the great outdoors.
Caroline Macfarlane (she/her)
Practice Lead 2027
Caroline Macfarlane is a senior children’s librarian at the Provo City Library in Provo, Utah. She earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her BA in Art History from Brigham Young University. Caroline is passionate about children’s literature and has previously served on the Children’s Literature Association of Utah Beehive Book Award committees for both Children’s Fiction and Graphic Novels.
Emily O’Sheridan-Tabor (she/her)
Practice Lead 2027
Emily O’Sheridan-Tabor holds a Master’s in Library Science and Information studies from the University of Wisconsin Madison and is the Family Services Librarian at the North Liberty Library in North Liberty, Iowa. This position is responsible for early literacy engagement and programming for children 5 and under and their families. In 18 years at NLL Emily has held multiple positions, from book repair and processing to overseeing circulation and finally family services, finding her passion working with young children.
Emily is dedicated to every child seeing themselves in and finding a place in the Library She earned NLL’s Family Place designation, serves on state and regional book award committees and participates in various local boards focused on Early Childhood.
Colleen Smith (she/her)
Practice Lead 2027
Colleen Smith is a youth and family service librarian at Douglas County Libraries; she has worked there for almost 4 years. Colleen’s first degree in graphic design gave her hopes to work on books because she’s been in love with children’s books since a child – starting with The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf then in college, Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg to Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann and all the other books she got to read to her own children. Her second degree in elementary education fueled her passion with teaching STEAM in a school library setting for k-6 students and now, is loving the smaller settings of story time, middle grade book clubs and teen library services. Colleen feels that not only do picture books help promote reading but also create a universal connection between all children and adults.
Kirsten Caldwell (she/her)
Kirsten Caldwell is a storytime provider, preschool substitute, and children’s book reviewer with master’s degrees in Library Science and Chemistry. She is passionate about early literacy and loves sharing children’s books that inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Karla Cribari (she/her)
Karla is the Youth Services Librarian at Old Town Library in Fort Collins, Colorado and has worked for Poudre Libraries for 18 years. She is passionate about early literacy programming, serving children and families, and creating pathways for access to resources, books, nature and opportunities. When not at the library, she is usually outside walking, biking, gardening, creating art, or spending time with family and friends.
Kate Davis (she/her)
Kate Davis is the Programming Consultant for Prairie Lakes Library District in southeast Wisconsin. She has extensive expertise in early literacy, youth programming, large-scale programming, collection maintenance, and inclusivity services, among many other practices. Davis is currently the Vice-Chair for Wisconsin Public Library’s Youth Services Section. She has reviewed books for School Library Journal, participated in the Association of Library Services to Children’s (ALSC) 2022 William Morris Book Evaluation Seminar, served on ALA’s Mildred A. Batchelder 2025 Committee and is serving her fourth year on the CLEL Bell Award Committee. Kate has a Master of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University.
Madhavi Rao Kavuri (she/her)
Madhavi Rao Kavuri is an Early Literacy Specialist with the Child and Family Library Services Department at Arapahoe Libraries. In this role, Madhavi leads engaging, welcoming, literacy-based story times for all ages, including babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. The work includes facilitating virtual story times and providing advisory support as well. She views Early literacy as the most foundational work libraries provide to help build inspired and confident readers. Madhavi also practices and performs Odissi, a classical dance form from India.
Dorian Renne
Dorian is a Youth Reference Librarian at the Arapahoe Library District located in south Denver. Before entering the library world, he worked at a bookstore and a youth-focused community theater. Aside from early literacy, he is passionate about fiber crafts, history, and spending time with his cats.
Stephanie Sterling (she/her)
Originally from Montreal, Stephanie is a Youth Services Librarian at the Longmont Public Library. She came to libraries by way of the classroom and the courtroom, spending the last ten years focused on creating community and connection with youth in Longmont through storytimes and various other programs. When not at the library, you can find her sewing, cooking and spending time with her kids.
Mackie Welch (she/her)
Mackie Welch has worked in libraries for 12 years, the past 9 as a Youth Services Librarian at the Boise Public Library in Boise, ID. Mackie is the resident felt story maker in her department. She also loves taking children and families out into nature, any excuse to wear a themed outfit or costume, and music & movement songs that let her lay down. When not at work she is most likely crafting and napping with her three cats.
What Our Committee Members Are Saying
Learn more from our committee members about their experiences:
- Community – “If you’re interested in lively, collaborative, in-depth discussions about early literacy, CLEL Bells is the place for you!”
- Book love – “Do picture books have a place in your heart and your work space? They fill mine!” “Be prepared to fall more in love with children’s books.”
- Dig into the details – “Get ready to think critically about early literacy and lean into great conversations.” “Flex those early literacy knowledge muscles!” “Where else can you dissect books with the lens of early literacy and storytime?”
- Build your expertise – “We have important conversations about early literacy and books for today’s kids.” “Time on this committee has deepened my knowledge of early literacy.”
- Worth your time – “I couldn’t have had this experience at my library.” “As a solo children’s librarian at my library, discussing books and literacy with colleagues has made me better at my job.”
- Feel supported – “This committee is well organized!! I was previously scared away from committee work, but this has been a positive experience.” “I learned so much from the experienced members on the committee.”
Do picture books have a place in your heart and your work space? They fill mine!”
Apply for the Selection Committee
Check back in February and March to apply for next year’s award committee. Please send any questions to clelbellawards@gmail.com. Thank you!
- Must be a current member of CLEL (Join here for free!)
- Affiliation with a professional or community role that promotes early literacy
- Cannot be affiliated with a publisher
- Access to a large sample of children’s books for ages 0-5
- Access to email and the internet
- Proficiency with Google Documents, Google Sheets, and Google Hangouts or Zoom
- Commitment of a few hours a week to reading, evaluating and suggesting new picture books
- Commitment to contribute to professional development resources around early literacy themes or the CLEL Bell titles for other librarians and/or caregivers.
- Minimum committee term is 2 years
