jp porcaro•curriculum vitae

proven team-builder who can energize ideas, motivate people, and deliver results.
Last update: January 9th, 2018• 201.455.7095 • jp@porcaro.info • jpporcaro.com

EDUCATION MLIS, Rutgers School of Communication and Information, New Brunswick, NJ. 2006.
Took all Master's level coursework required to become a certified School Media Specialist.
BA in Philosophy, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ. 2003.

WORK Free Public Library and Cultural Center of Bayonne, Bayonne, NJ

EXPERIENCE Library Director Apr ’18 – Present
• Manages library’s staff of 23 paid FTE and volunteers.
• Manages library’s budget of ~$2.1 Million.
• Works with city departments, local businesses, and schools to provide library
services to community members.
• Performs all duties of a library director set out under appropriate NJ statutes.
• Acts as archives liaison between the Library, the Bayonne Historical Society, and
the Bayonne Museum. Is a voting member of the Bayonne Museum Board of
Trustees.
New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ
Head Librarian for Acquisitions and Technological Discovery Jul ‘11-Apr ‘18
• Managed library’s Acquisitions Department staff & department workflow.
• Managed library’s materials budget of over $500k.
• Worked with many University offices and departments on purchasing and
electronic procurement procedures.
• Introduced “tech innovations” to library. Successes include launching text
message reference and continuing work started during previous position.
• Carried on most responsibilities listed in previous NJCU position, including
teaching and reference work.
Virtual Services Librarian Aug ’09-Jul ‘11
• Provided in-person and virtual reference to students and staff.
• Taught multiple “bibliographic instruction” (information literacy) sessions for
undergraduate and graduate classes per semester.
• Launched new virtual service initiatives, such as teaching bibliographic
instruction sessions online for off-campus students, and providing information
literacy tutorials via streaming video.
• Actively participated in information literacy efforts including serving on the
campus’ College of Arts and Science General Studies Coordinating Committee.
Belleville Public Library and Information Center, Belleville NJ
Head of Children’s Services Apr ’05-Aug ‘09
• Managed department budget, including purchasing all materials.
• Oversaw circulation system implementation and performed advanced tech
support on library technology.
• Cataloged departmental materials.
• Acted as liaison between area schools and public library, including taking lead
role in designing the public school district's summer reading list and teaching in-
service days with teachers.
Reference Librarian Feb ’04-Apr ‘05
• Provided in-person reference services.
• Provided technology services, including performing advanced tech support
Library Page (part-time) Dec ’96-Feb ‘04
 Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, NJ
Systems and Electronic Resources Librarian (part-time) Apr ’08-Oct‘08
• Managed all library electronic systems and networks.
• Administered the ILS, including both user-side and server-side activities.
• Required use of programming and scripting languages, such as PHP and mySQL.
South Orange Public Library, South Orange, NJ
Reference Librarian (part-time) Dec’04-Apr’08
• Provided in-person reference services.
• Provided tech support on library public terminals.
Montclair High School Library, Montclair, NJ
Library Intern Jan’06-May’06
• Weeded considerable sections of library print collect.
• Taught Information Literacy sessions in 9th grade class students.
• Organized and developed instructional media collection.
Saint Aloysius High School, South Orange, NJ
Religion Teacher ‘03/’04 School Year
• Taught Religion and Philosophy classes for 10th and 11th grade students.
Saint Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School, Bayonne, NJ
Technology Teacher (part-time) Sep’02-Jun’03
• Taught all technology classes for grades Pre K – 8th.
• Provided tech support for school Macintosh Lab.

AWARDS, Awarded Tenure in New Jersey City University Library, 2015.

HONORS, New Jersey City University Core Values Team Award, 2013.
&LEADERSHIP Library Journal Mover & Shaker, 2012.
American Library Association Emerging Leader, 2010.
Graduate of Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative's Leadership Program, 2009.
Graduate of New Jersey Academy of Library Leadership, 2008.
New Jersey State Library / Institute of Museum and Library Services 21st Century Urban
Librarian Recruitment Grant recipient, 2003.

WRITING Candidate’s Statement. American Libraries, Mar/Apr 2015, 16-17.

Small Steps Make It Happen, EveryLibrary Blog, Feb 2014, online.
New York Comic Con 2011. School Library Journal, Jan 2012, 20-21.
First Amendment Rights. School Library Journal, Jan 2011, 23-24.
Fostering Community Engagement from $500. Booklist Feature, Nov 2010, online.
The Pokémon Generation. School Library Journal, May 2010, 24-25.

PRESS, During my time running for American Library Association President, I did many
INTERVIEWS, interviews which reveal my philosophy on libraries. Highlights include a Reddit AMA, a
& INFLUENCE Hiring Librarians interview, a statement for American Libraries magazine, an ACRL
interview, a “meet the candidates” in Library Journal, & a podcast with Carson Block.
Worked with Librarian Wardrobe on the slate.com “This Is What A Librarian Looks Like"
photo essay, Slate’s highest-trafficked photo essay ever, which is now a book of the
same title.
Made flavorwire.com’s “10 of the Coolest Librarians Alive” list, 2013.
Named a “New Jersey Library Legend” while serving as the guest on NJ State
Librarian Norma Blake's monthly podcast, 2012.
Spreading inspiration via the #makeithappen hashtag, with support from
celebrities such as Hulk Hogan and Andrew W.K., and in library publications
such as American Libraries magazine and OCLC Webjunction.
PROFESSIONAL New Members Round Table representative to ALA Council, 2016-present.
INVOLVEMENT Senior Advisor to the EveryLibrary political action committee, 2013-present.
& Founding convener of the ALA Comic Book & Graphic Novel Member Initiative Group,
MEMBERSHIPS2011-2017, which has now become an ALA Round Table.
Conference Events Coordinator to Urban Librarians Unite, 2014-2015.
Administrator to Librarian Wardrobe, 2011-2015.
Elected member of the NJLA Executive Board: Member-at-large, 2012-2013; ALA
Councilor, 2013-2014.
Member of the LibraryLinkNJ Technology CE Advisory Group, 2011-2014.
Founding president of the ALA Games & Gaming Round Table (GameRT), 2011-2012.
President of the NJLA Emerging Technologies Section, 2012-2013.

SPEAKING & Nationally recognized speaker on topics such as library leadership, emotional
PRESENTING intelligence, video games and learning, digital services in libraries, emerging
technologies, and non-traditional literacy teaching techniques.
(2013 - 2017). Moderator, with Patrick Sweeney, for the American Library
Association’s Annual Conference & Midwinter Meeting “Ignite” sessions.
(2015, April 28). “Making It Happen Where You Are” Featured Speaker, Connecticut
Library Association Conference.
(2015, April 17). “Inspiring Change, Advocating Goodness, Making It Happen” Closing
Keynote, Kentucky Library Association Academic and Special Sections and
Special Library Association Kentucky Chapter 2015 Joint Spring Conference.
(2015, March 31). “Making It Happen Where You Are” Webinar presented on behalf of
New York Library Association Conference.
(2014, December 19). “Library Leadership At All Levels” Webinar presented on behalf of
Gale Cengage for their Gale Geek Webinar series.
(2014, December 6). Keynote for Special Libraries Association Michigan Chapter holiday
luncheon, Dearborn, MI.
(2014, December 5). “Inspiring Change, Advocating Goodness, & Making It Happen”
Presentation on behalf of Gale Cengage and the Library of Michigan, Farmington
Hills, MI.
(2014, June 29). “Professionalism is Killing the Profession” Presenter for Conversation
Starter, American Library Association Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
(2014, June 3). “New Job Titles for 21st Century Librarians” Panel Member for
Presentation at the New Jersey Library Association Conference, Atlantic City,
NJ.
(2013, October 23). “Making It Happen Wherever You Are” Webinar presented on
behalf of the Leadership Development Forum and New Member Round Table of
the Virginia Library Association.
(2013, June 5). “I Can Borrow What?” Panel Member for Presentation at the New Jersey
Library Association Conference, Atlantic City, NJ.
(2013, March 24). “How to Run a Tournament: Bringing Together Your Local
Community” Panel member for Presentation at PAX East Video Game
convention.
(2013, February 27). “Emerging Technologies and Trends in the Library World” Panel
Member for Presentation at Rutgers MLIS Colloquium, New Brunswick, NJ.
(2013, January 26). “Something Awesome TBA” Ignite Session on Gamification,
American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, Seattle, WA.
(2012, December 13). "50 Awesome Things for Kids and Teens" Keynote for Essex
County Children's Librarians group, South Orange, NJ.
(2012, December 6). Keynote for Nassau County Library Association Young Adult
Services Division's annual brunch, Uniondale, Long Island, NY.
(2012, October 8). Keynote for Westport Public Library’s staff development day,
Westport, CT.
(2012, October 4). “Make It Happen - Take Action” Panel Member for The Library 2.012
Worldwide Virtual Conference.
(2012, July 10). "Digital Libraries - Connectivity, Convergence, Confluence" Virtual
Member for Panel Discussion at the Library Management Institute Summer
Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
(2012, June 7). "2012 NMRT Online Program: Professional Networking for New
Librarians" Panel Member for ALA's New Member Round Table annual webinar
series.
(2012, June 6). "Visualize it: Information & Operations" Panel Member for Presentation
at the New Jersey Library Association Conference, Atlantic City, NJ.
(2012, June 5). "50 Awesome Things" Panel Member for Presentation at the New Jersey
Library Association Conference, Atlantic City, NJ.
(2012, May 8). "50 Awesome Things" Panel Member for Presentation at the
Connecticut Library Association Conference, Groton, CT.
(2012, April 18). “The Future of College Libraries: Serving Undergraduate Students”
Panel Member for Rutgers SCARLA program, New Brunswick, NJ.
(2012, March 22). "Visualize it: Information & Operations" Panel Member for
Presentation at the Computers in Libraries Conference, Washington, DC.
(2012, March 16). "What Makes a Collection? Redefining the Library through the
Collection" Panel Member for Presentation at Public Library Association
Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
(2012, February 1). "Mobile Gaming in Libraries" Handheld Librarian Online Conference.
(2012, January 17). Spoke on "ALA Think Tank" and "#makeithappen" for IFLA “New
Librarians Global Connection: best practices, models and recommendations”
quarterly webinar series.
(2011, October 13). "Video Game Collection Development for Libraries" Panel
Organizer and Moderator at New York Comic Convention, Jacob Javits Center,
New York, NY.
(2011, October 13). "National Gaming Day @ your library: Using Video Games and
Comic Books as Library Outreach Tools" Panel Organizer and Moderator at New
York Comic Convention, Jacob Javits Center, New York, NY.
(2011, October 3). Lead discussion group on ALA's Emerging Leaders program titled
"#makeithappen", New England Library Association conference, Burlington, VT.
(2011, June 26). "Video Games for Teens in the Library" YALSA Pecha Kucha
presentation at the American Library Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
(2011, June 25). "#makeithappen" American Library Association Emerging Leaders
Summit, New Orleans, LA.
(2011, May 12). "Using Gaming and Graphic Novels to Market Library Services" Library
Association of Rockland County Conference, Nanuet, NY.
(2011, May 3). "Video Games in Libraries: Collection Development and Community
Engagement" New Jersey Library Association Conference, Long Branch, NJ.
(2011, May 2). "#makeithappen" National Library Unconference Day '11 Virtual
Keynote.
(2011, May 2). "Gaming in Libraries: Programming, Marketing, Collection Development
& the Future" Connecticut Library Association Conference, Stamford, CT.
(2011, January 7). Co-facilitated the 2011 American Library Association Midwinter
Unconference titled Remixing Libraries, San Diego, CA.
(2010, November 17). Guest Speaker for Rutgers Association of School Librarians'
colloquium on "Librarianship Choices", New Brunswick, NJ.
(2010, November 17). "Pokémon, Learning, and Libraries" Webinar presented on behalf
of Infolink for their continuing education class offerings.
(2010, October 18). "10 Technologies Every Librarian Should Know" Panel Member for
Presentation at the NJLA Adult Services Forum, Manalapan NJ.
(2010, October 18). "Video Game Collection Development 101" NJLA Adult Services
Forum, Manalapan NJ.
(2010, October 8). "Why Graphic Novels Should Be In Your Library" Panel Member for
presentation at the New York Comic Convention, Jacob Javits Center, New York,
NY.
(2010, August 25). "Video Game Collection Development 101" Webinar presented on
behalf of the Nebraska State Library Commission for their NCompassLive series.
(2010, June 28). "Pokémon, Learning, and Libraries" American Library Association
Conference, Washington, DC.
(2010, June 28). "Using Gaming as a Tool for Libraries and Classrooms" American Library
Association Conference, Washington, DC.
(2010, June 27). "Video Game Collection Development: The Basics" American Library
Association Conference, Washington, DC.
(2010, June 27). "Using Gaming and Graphic Novels to Market Library Services"
American Library Association Conference, Washington, DC.
(2010, June 25). "ASCLA 21st Century Grant" Poster Session at the American Library
Association Conference, Washington, DC.
(2010, April 27). "Using Gaming and Graphic Novels to Market Library Services" New
Jersey Library Association Conference, Long Branch, NJ.
(2010, April 17). "Getting Your Graphic Novel Collection Started: How To Select, Shelve,
And Promote Great Lists For Kids, Tweens, Teens, and Adult Collections" Panel
Member for presentation at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, Lakeside
Center, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.
(2010, April 16). "Using nontraditional media to teach literacy skills to boys (and girls!)"
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, Lakeside Center, McCormick Place,
Chicago, IL.
(2010, April 13). "Crafting Online Personas" Computers in Libraries Conference,
Arlington, VA.
(2010, March 13). "Gaming: All Libraries & All Ages" Presented webinar on behalf of
8bitlibrary.com.
(2009, October 28). "How to Stream your Presentations on the Internet," NJLA Ref,
Tech & Tango Adult Services Forum, Manalapan NJ.
 (2009, June 12). Won BattleDecks competition at Pres4Lib Library Presentation Camp,
Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ.
(2008, April & October). "A Perfect Fit: Programming That Fits Your Community and
Your Budget", Panel Member for Infolink Continuing Education Classes,
Livingston, NJ.
(2007, March). Guest Speaker for Rutgers Association of School Librarians' colloquium
on "Youth Services in New Jersey", New Brunswick, NJ.
(2006, April 25). "Recruiting for Libraries - What Have We Learned?", Panel member for
presentation at New Jersey Library Association Conference, Long Branch, NJ.
(2004, October 4). "How Public Libraries Can Help Homeschoolers", Panel member for
presentation at the NJLA Youth Services Forum, Manalapan, NJ.

MAKING IT Worked with mutationengine as a credited researcher for the film “War Against The
HAPPEN Weak”, based on the book by NY Times Bestselling Author Edwin Black.

Organizer of the ALA 2011 Midwinter Unconference “Remixing Libraries” and National
Library Unconference Day ’11 with Allen McGinley, and “blurb writer” for Mob Rule
Learning: Camps, Unconferences, and Trashing the Talking Head by Michelle Boule.

Personal YouTube account has been mentioned in the May 7, ‘07 New York Times and
the January 18, ‘07 Rolling Stone Daily blog, and was invited in 2007 to be a “YouTube
Partner”.

Mentor for 2011 ALA Emerging Leaders Project on Video Game Collection Development,
with Buffy Hamilton and Justin Hoenke; and 2012 ALA Emerging Leaders Project on
Library Review Guidelines for Video Games, with Nicole Pagowsky and Erik Bobilin.

Organized large-scale digital projects like NJLA’s Facebook page, and Library Think Tank
(social media’s largest space for librarians, with a membership of over 35,000).

Edited a zine by and about Millennial (Generation Y / born between 1982-2004)

Librarians.

Purchaser of domains and former webmaster of 8bitlibrary.com and

librarianwardrobe.com. Gained extensive knowledge and experience in the Wordpress
CMS, as well as web design and development best practices, during my time running
those sites.

REFERENCES Melissa Kopecky, Director, South Orange Public Library. 65 Scotland Rd., South
Orange, NJ 07079 | mkopecky@sopl.org| 973.762.0230

Patrick Shalhoub, Head of the Periodicals and Government Documents, Congressman

Frank J. Guarini Library at New Jersey City University, 2039 John F Kennedy Blvd., Jersey
City, NJ, 07305 | pshalhoub@njcu.edu | 201.200.3470

Mary-ann Rowland, Bayonne Library Board Trustee (Former Board President); CEO, A+
Personnel, 1017 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002 | mrowland@apluspersonnel.com |
201.437.5594
FREQUENT Tina Coleman, Membership Specialist, American Library Association, 50 East Huron
COLLABORA- St., Chicago, IL 60611 | ccoleman@ala.org | 800.545.2433 x 2152
TORS
Patrick Sweeney, Political Director, EveryLibrary Political Action Committee, 51 Wolcott
Ave #3, Brooklyn, NY 11231 | patrick.sweeney@everylibrary.org | 916.276.6266

John Chrastka, Executive Director, EveryLibrary Political Action Committee. P.O. Box
406 45 E. Burlington St., Riverside, IL 60546 | john.chrastka@everylibrary.org|
312.574.0316