5 Questions: Angela Mackenzie, Director of Library and Digital Literacy
Mrs. Mackenzie is bringing her technology education and integration expertise to St. Margaret's Library.
Angela Mackenzie is the new director of library and digital literacy, and is settling into her role this school year. She is no stranger to St. Margaret’s—Mrs. Mackenzie previously was the ICE Lab and Lower School STEAM block teacher, where she led Lower School technology and STEAM curriculum including coding, robotics and engineering.
In her new role, Mrs. Mackenzie will lead the St. Margaret’s Library staff as it continues to evolve and innovate to stay ahead of the latest technology and digital library trends in an ever-changing information landscape, ultimately to fulfill the Library’s mission of providing the materials and resources necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives of the school.
We asked Mrs. Mackenzie about how she prepared for her new role, what she wants to accomplish in her first year and what her vision is for the future of St. Margaret’s Library.
Your background is as a technology educator. How will your role in the Library incorporate that experience?
Educational technology and technology integration is a big part of the Library’s role. Of course there are the traditional books and we absolutely still have that, yet when you look at what leading universities and schools are doing, there’s this really emerging marriage between libraries, technology and access to information, and I’m excited to be a part of that here at St. Margaret’s.
Educational technology and technology integration is a big part of the Library’s role. Of course there are the traditional books and we absolutely still have that, yet when you look at what leading universities and schools are doing, there’s this really emerging marriage between libraries, technology and access to information, and I’m excited to be a part of that here at St. Margaret’s.
How will St. Margaret’s culture of innovation help you in your new role?
There has been nothing but excitement and support for our vision here in the Library. I am joining an exceptional team of librarians who do amazing work, and we feel very encouraged to bring new and exciting resources, tools and information to our students. I see our Library being a center for emerging technology, where we can try new things and see how it can work to help our students learn and grow. We are not only reimagining the role of the Library, but also reimagining the physical space as an innovative student learning center.
There has been nothing but excitement and support for our vision here in the Library. I am joining an exceptional team of librarians who do amazing work, and we feel very encouraged to bring new and exciting resources, tools and information to our students. I see our Library being a center for emerging technology, where we can try new things and see how it can work to help our students learn and grow. We are not only reimagining the role of the Library, but also reimagining the physical space as an innovative student learning center.
Did you do any professional development this summer before starting in your new role?
I participated in the Future Ready Librarian leadership summit in Chicago, and was able to join other librarian technology leaders and learn more about how the world of libraries is shifting and bring those ideas back to St. Margaret’s. I was among library innovators from all over the country, and it was very inspiring to see how they reach students and help them learn.
I participated in the Future Ready Librarian leadership summit in Chicago, and was able to join other librarian technology leaders and learn more about how the world of libraries is shifting and bring those ideas back to St. Margaret’s. I was among library innovators from all over the country, and it was very inspiring to see how they reach students and help them learn.
Why did you want to work in St. Margaret’s Library?
I’m excited to be able to work with everyone on campus, and also to bring my passions with technology and innovation into an area that can reach every student across the entire school.
I’m excited to be able to work with everyone on campus, and also to bring my passions with technology and innovation into an area that can reach every student across the entire school.
What’s been your first order of business since moving to the Library?
The very first thing I’ve tried to do is build relationships with all the divisions. I first want to get a sense of what the curriculum is across the divisions and where there might be room for more technology integration. We’re also here to support the students who come into the Library. Whether it’s pointing them to the right resources or digital tools or troubleshooting issues with them, we are here as librarians to help students and their learning needs.
The very first thing I’ve tried to do is build relationships with all the divisions. I first want to get a sense of what the curriculum is across the divisions and where there might be room for more technology integration. We’re also here to support the students who come into the Library. Whether it’s pointing them to the right resources or digital tools or troubleshooting issues with them, we are here as librarians to help students and their learning needs.
Another of the Library’s goals for this first year is to implement a school-wide digital citizenship and digital leadership program, which aligns with our school-wide strategic goal on health and wellness and relationship with technology.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
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