Heather Novotny

Librarian

At McGillis since 2016

 

Contact Heather Novotny: hnovotny@mcgillisschool.org

 

Education:
B.A., Preparation for Teaching - Single Subject, San Jose State University
M.L.S., Emporia State University of Kansas

 

Bio:

Being a children's librarian is my dream job, and I love connecting children and families with books. It's really important to me that The McGillis Library is a welcoming space where our whole kehilah can find digital and print books that both reflect student identities and open a window out into the wider world. I was ULA (Utah Library Association) Librarian of the Year in 2014, a 2017 American Library Association Emerging Leader, and served on the 2021 Sibert Award committee recognizing outstanding nonfiction for children.  One of my professional interests is promoting the diverse books statewide, and I regularly speak about the topic at our state library conferences.

 

Favorite McGillis Lunch:

Curry vegetables FTW!

 

Books I love:

My current favorite picture book is The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, because of the dragons and the folklore, but mostly because of the message that we can embrace the full complexity of our identities.

 

The McGillis value that means the most to me:

Tikkun Olam! I love walking into a building where we are all working toward the same goal: repairing the world.