This page references the Center for Children’s Books’ Graduate Assistants that served between 2001 to 2021.
The listed occupational positions and affiliations reflect current data if known at the time of the Center for Children’s Books’ 75th Anniversary.
Graduate Assistants
Elora Agsten (2018-2020) – Instructional Librarian, Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL
Josh Altshuler (2020-2021) – MS/LIS Student, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Kristin (Hungerford) Astorina (2004-2005) – Children’s Librarian, Champaign Public Library, IL
Sabrina Austin (2001-2002) – Health Psychologist & Owner, Leitmotif Psychology, Plano, TX
Michelle Biwer (2014-2016) – Assistant Regional Branch Director, Fairfax County Public Library, Springfield, VA
Lena Bohman (2020) – Digital Humanities Librarian, New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL
Katie Boucher (2012-2014) – Children’s Librarian and First Assistant, McKinley Park Branch, Chicago Public Library, IL
Alexandra Byerly (2021) – MS/LIS Student, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Ayanna Coleman (2009-2011) – Founder, Quill Shift Literary Agency LLC
Elizabeth (Voss) Curtis (2006-2008) – Library Media Specialist, Tillman Elementary School, Kirkwood, MO
Lauren Gray (2015-2017) – Library Media Specialist, Sunset Ridge School, Northfield, IL
Laurel Halfar (2010-2012) – Children’s Services Librarian, Champaign Public Library, IL
Sujin Huggins, PhD (2004) – Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Dominican University, River Forest, IL
Kelley Anne Johnson (2008-2010) – Owner/College Admission Consultant, College Admission Partners, Minneapolis, MN
Anna Lapp (2016-2017) – Youth Services Librarian, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, Cincinnati, OH
Stacia McKeever (2017-2019) – 2019 Artist Residency, Research Archives of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, IL
Alice Mitchell (2013-2015) – Youth Librarian, Rockford Public Library East Branch, IL
Anna Elizabeth Mitchell (2019-2020) – MS/LIS Student, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Hannah Mueller (2016-2018) – Director, Information and Learning Center, Lakes Community High School, Lake Villa, IL
Anna L. Nielsen (2002-2003) – Youth Services Librarian, Wellfleet Public Library, MA
Joella Peterson (2005-2007) – Children’s Services Manager, Provo City Library, UT
Kate Quealy-Gainer (2007-2009) – Editor, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Adjunct Lecturer, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Anna (Holland) Ruppert (2011-2013)
Helen Salkeld (2021) – MS/LIS Student, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Jordan Seymour (2003-2004)
Lisa (Weinstein) Talbert (2004-2006) – Library Media Center Director, Highland Elementary School, Skokie, IL
Mia Walter (2021) – MS/LIS Student, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Outreach Coordinators1
Thadeous Andracki (2012-2014) – Middle School Librarian, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, IL
Corrie Ball (2008-2010) – Library Media Specialist, St. Charles Community Unit School District 303, IL
Laura (Chenevert) Kewley (2011-2012) – Senior Communications Specialist, Hennepin County, MN
Miriam Larson (2010-2011) – Executive Director, Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, IL
Anna (Shustitsky) Sohn (2014-2015) – Teen Librarian, Rio Rancho Public Libraries, NM
1 University of Illinois alumnus Bill Stewart and his wife Mary endowed the Outreach Coordinator Graduate Assistantship from 2008 to 2015. Assistants worked on a variety of projects ranging from leading storytelling events to coordinating workshops for educators.