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Dorcas Hand, CV
Margaret Dorcas Hand
713-962-9352
713-962-9352
EDUCATION
M.L.S. School of Library and Information Science, State University of New York at
Albany. May,1978.
B.A. Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA. Major: History of Art. Minor: Education.
January, 1973.
M.L.S. School of Library and Information Science, State University of New York at
Albany. May,1978.
B.A. Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA. Major: History of Art. Minor: Education.
January, 1973.
STATE CERTIFICATIONS
New York, Lifetime: Library Media Specialist, Classroom Teacher, Art Teacher, Nursery-6.
Massachusetts, Lifetime: School Librarian, Media Specialist, Classroom Teacher, Art
Teacher, K-6.
Texas, 2000-2005: Library Media Specialist.
New York, Lifetime: Library Media Specialist, Classroom Teacher, Art Teacher, Nursery-6.
Massachusetts, Lifetime: School Librarian, Media Specialist, Classroom Teacher, Art
Teacher, K-6.
Texas, 2000-2005: Library Media Specialist.
EXPERIENCE - Current Position:
Director of Libraries, Annunciation Orthodox School (AOS), Houston TX. August, 1990-
2016 retirement: Lower School Library (PS-4th grades) and Middle School Library (5th-
8th grades and Professional Collection).
Responsibilities:
Administrative and teaching duties for a PS-8th grade school of 699 students.
Library Strategic Plan, 2013
Team Leader, Middle School Enrichment Teachers (2004-2010).
30,000+ materials in the library;
Supervise 2.7 FTE non-professional staff and many volunteers.
Oversee budget, selection, purchase, and cataloging of a wide variety of print, AV,
electronic materials, and electronic database access, to insure that students have
access to age appropriate information sources in a variety of formats.
Supervise, maintain, and circulate AV equipment, including digital projectors and
document cameras.
Evaluate AOS libraries for 2008 (and 1998) ISAS Self-Study and Accreditation Review.
Member, AOS Technology Leadership Committee which contributes to maintenance of
current hardware and software, and to long-range planning for maintenance, growth,
and implementation of new technologies.
Collaborate with faculty and administration on curriculum implementation at all levels.
Plan and implement Visiting Author program annually.
History as Story program of research projects and master classes with authors,
2002-present.
Design and maintain Research and Information curriculum with students, teachers.
Record this curriculum in Rubicon Atlas.
Collaborate with teachers at all levels to develop appropriate research projects and
curriculum support.
Collaborate with teachers to implement ongoing summer reading program.
2010 implemented ongoing Teacher favorite summer Reading List.
Assist planning and operation of annual Bookfair (avg. gross $50,000)
Faculty Advisor to: Pages Literary Magazine, the annual cumulative publication of
student writing (2nd-8th grades) edited in quarter long elective classes of 7th and 8th
grade students.
Plan and implement of AOS Digital PhotoArchive database, 2009-2010.
Historical Accomplishments at AOS:
Began History as Story program c. 2000.
Built the AOS collection from 6000 in need of weeding (1990) to over 30,000 (present);
One facility to two facilities through two renovations to one two story facility.
Space increase from 400 sq. feet to 8000 sq. feet.
Staff increase from one person (me) to 3.7 FTE.
Director of Libraries, Annunciation Orthodox School (AOS), Houston TX. August, 1990-
2016 retirement: Lower School Library (PS-4th grades) and Middle School Library (5th-
8th grades and Professional Collection).
Responsibilities:
Administrative and teaching duties for a PS-8th grade school of 699 students.
Library Strategic Plan, 2013
Team Leader, Middle School Enrichment Teachers (2004-2010).
30,000+ materials in the library;
Supervise 2.7 FTE non-professional staff and many volunteers.
Oversee budget, selection, purchase, and cataloging of a wide variety of print, AV,
electronic materials, and electronic database access, to insure that students have
access to age appropriate information sources in a variety of formats.
Supervise, maintain, and circulate AV equipment, including digital projectors and
document cameras.
Evaluate AOS libraries for 2008 (and 1998) ISAS Self-Study and Accreditation Review.
Member, AOS Technology Leadership Committee which contributes to maintenance of
current hardware and software, and to long-range planning for maintenance, growth,
and implementation of new technologies.
Collaborate with faculty and administration on curriculum implementation at all levels.
Plan and implement Visiting Author program annually.
History as Story program of research projects and master classes with authors,
2002-present.
Design and maintain Research and Information curriculum with students, teachers.
Record this curriculum in Rubicon Atlas.
Collaborate with teachers at all levels to develop appropriate research projects and
curriculum support.
Collaborate with teachers to implement ongoing summer reading program.
2010 implemented ongoing Teacher favorite summer Reading List.
Assist planning and operation of annual Bookfair (avg. gross $50,000)
Faculty Advisor to: Pages Literary Magazine, the annual cumulative publication of
student writing (2nd-8th grades) edited in quarter long elective classes of 7th and 8th
grade students.
Plan and implement of AOS Digital PhotoArchive database, 2009-2010.
Historical Accomplishments at AOS:
Began History as Story program c. 2000.
Built the AOS collection from 6000 in need of weeding (1990) to over 30,000 (present);
One facility to two facilities through two renovations to one two story facility.
Space increase from 400 sq. feet to 8000 sq. feet.
Staff increase from one person (me) to 3.7 FTE.
PREVIOUS JOBS:
Head (and Founding) Librarian, Episcopal High School, Bellaire TX. February 1984-March
1989. Began my duties February 1984, 6 months before the school opened in August
1984.
Children’s Librarian, Houston Public Library, Houston TX. Oct. 1983-Jan. 1984.
Young Adult Librarian, Boston Public Library, Boston MA. October 1982-June 1983.
Lower School Librarian, St. John’s School, Houston TX. August 1979-June 1982.
Middle School Librarian, St. John’s School, Houston TX. August 1978-June 1979.
Teacher, August 1973-June 1976. Western Massachusetts public schools. August 1973-
June 1976.
Head (and Founding) Librarian, Episcopal High School, Bellaire TX. February 1984-March
1989. Began my duties February 1984, 6 months before the school opened in August
1984.
Children’s Librarian, Houston Public Library, Houston TX. Oct. 1983-Jan. 1984.
Young Adult Librarian, Boston Public Library, Boston MA. October 1982-June 1983.
Lower School Librarian, St. John’s School, Houston TX. August 1979-June 1982.
Middle School Librarian, St. John’s School, Houston TX. August 1978-June 1979.
Teacher, August 1973-June 1976. Western Massachusetts public schools. August 1973-
June 1976.
PRESENTATIONS
Speaker with Jennifer Jamison and Dr. Dedra Willaims, NJASL Conference, October 2014
AASL National School Library Program of the Year: Bragging Rights and Strategic Spins
Speaker with Jenifer Jamison and Dr. Dedra Williams, TLA Conference, Spring 2014
AASL National School Library Program of the Year: Bragging Rights and Strategic Spins
Speaker with Marc Aronson, AASL Rising to the Challenge October 2013.
“How Did Pluto Get Demoted? Transliterate Reading and Writing Push Students to
Analytic Opinions”
Speaker, Independent Schools Association of the Southwest Biennial Conference, Feb. 2,
2012. "From Ebooks to Wikipedia the Musical."
Speaker, AASL Conference, October 2011. "Print v. Digital, What Kinds of Books Does
YOUR School Library Need?" Co-presenters: Tom Corbett, Library Director, Cushing
Academy (Ashburnham MA); Alison Ernst, former Library Director, Northfield Mount
Hermon School (Gill MA); Frances Jacobsen Harris, Librarian, University High School
(Champagne-Urbana IL)..
Guest Lecturer, Marc Aronson’s graduate Library Science course “eBooks:, Sept., 22,
2011. eBooks in School Libraries.
Speaker, ALA Conference, June 2011: Print v. Digital, What Kinds of Books Does YOUR
School Library Need? Co-presenters: Tom Corbett, Library Director, Cushing
Academy (Ashburnham MA); Alison Ernst, former Library Director, Northfield Mount
Hermon School (Gill MA); Frances Jacobsen Harris, Librarian, University High
School (Champagne-Urbana IL).
Speaker, NAIS Conference, February 2011. Speed Innovating Session: Print v. Digital,
What Kinds of Books Does YOUR School Library Need? Co-presenter: Bil Mayer,
University librarian, American University (Washington D.C.)
Speaker, AASL Charlotte, 2009: “Law and the School Librarian”, with Helen Adams and
others.
Speaker, NAIS Conference, Dallas TX. February 1999. Also, AASL National Conference
1999. “Multifaceted Teaching for Brain Compatible Learning” with Kiki Przewlocki and
Amy Williams, also of AOS.
Speaker with Jennifer Jamison and Dr. Dedra Willaims, NJASL Conference, October 2014
AASL National School Library Program of the Year: Bragging Rights and Strategic Spins
Speaker with Jenifer Jamison and Dr. Dedra Williams, TLA Conference, Spring 2014
AASL National School Library Program of the Year: Bragging Rights and Strategic Spins
Speaker with Marc Aronson, AASL Rising to the Challenge October 2013.
“How Did Pluto Get Demoted? Transliterate Reading and Writing Push Students to
Analytic Opinions”
Speaker, Independent Schools Association of the Southwest Biennial Conference, Feb. 2,
2012. "From Ebooks to Wikipedia the Musical."
Speaker, AASL Conference, October 2011. "Print v. Digital, What Kinds of Books Does
YOUR School Library Need?" Co-presenters: Tom Corbett, Library Director, Cushing
Academy (Ashburnham MA); Alison Ernst, former Library Director, Northfield Mount
Hermon School (Gill MA); Frances Jacobsen Harris, Librarian, University High School
(Champagne-Urbana IL)..
Guest Lecturer, Marc Aronson’s graduate Library Science course “eBooks:, Sept., 22,
2011. eBooks in School Libraries.
Speaker, ALA Conference, June 2011: Print v. Digital, What Kinds of Books Does YOUR
School Library Need? Co-presenters: Tom Corbett, Library Director, Cushing
Academy (Ashburnham MA); Alison Ernst, former Library Director, Northfield Mount
Hermon School (Gill MA); Frances Jacobsen Harris, Librarian, University High
School (Champagne-Urbana IL).
Speaker, NAIS Conference, February 2011. Speed Innovating Session: Print v. Digital,
What Kinds of Books Does YOUR School Library Need? Co-presenter: Bil Mayer,
University librarian, American University (Washington D.C.)
Speaker, AASL Charlotte, 2009: “Law and the School Librarian”, with Helen Adams and
others.
Speaker, NAIS Conference, Dallas TX. February 1999. Also, AASL National Conference
1999. “Multifaceted Teaching for Brain Compatible Learning” with Kiki Przewlocki and
Amy Williams, also of AOS.
PUBLICATIONS
- Evans, Cathy, Dorcas Hand, Robyn Martin, and David Wee. “The Trailblazers: The Art of Curation in the Information Forest.” (Independent School Magazine, Winter 2015)
- Abarbanel, Elisabeth; Sarah Davis; Dorcas Hand; Matthew Wittmer. “The New School Library: The Human Connection to Digital Resources and Academic Success.” (Independent School Magazine, Summer 2013)
- Guest Blogger, Marc Aronson's "Consider the Source" blog in SLJ. "In Search of Stellar Nonfiction" (Nov. 6, 2014)
- "Youth Matters: Making Progress by Fives", American Libraries Online, Dec. 30, 2011.
- blog posts (2) to Inside Scoop: Inside Views from Inside AL (American Libraries) from AASL Turning the Page conference, Oct. 27-29, 2011
- "Reimagineers for K-12 Libraries", School Libraries: What's Now, What's Next, What's Yet to Come edited by Kristin Fontinchiaro and Buffy Hamilton.
- “What Was Then and What is Now? Four Perspectives on eBooks in Independent School Libraries” Co-authors: Tom Corbett, Library Director, Cushing Academy (Ashburnham MA); Alison Ernst, former Library Director, Northfield Mount Hermon School (Gill MA); Dorcas Hand, "Questions in Search of Answers"; Frances Jacobsen Harris, Librarian, University High School (Champagne-Urbana IL). NAIS website (July 29, 2011)
- “The School Librarian as Instructional Partner: Team Up with Teachers to Guide Student Learning,” KnowledgeQuest, The Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. 35.5 (May-June 2011): p.22+
- Independent School Libraries: Perspectives on Excellence. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2010. 21 essays by 20 authors.
- "Biography Bash: A Study of Heroes." with 4th grade teachers. Collaborating to Meet Standards: Teacher/Librarian Partnerships for K-6, rev. ed. by Toni Buzzeo. Columbus OH: Linworth Books, 2007. 140-163.
- "Adolescent Literacies: Reading, Writing, Thinking." KnowledgeQuest, The Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. 35.1 (Sept.-Oct. 2006): 40-43. This provides an overview of the AOS History as Story program.
- AOS Considers History as Story." The Delphian. Summer 2005: 2-3.
- "Adolescent Literacies: Reading, Writing, Thinking". (Knowledge Quest 35:1, September/October 2006).
- "From Lakes to Rivers: The Independent School Library Looks Ahead." Looking Ahead: Independent School Issues & Answers. Ed. Patrick F. Bassett and Craig Thorn. Gilsum NH: Avocus Publishing, 2004. 307-310.
- Founding Editor (1993-1998), HAISLN Recommended Reading List. Winter 1993-March 1997. Chair, Recommended Reading List Committee for 5th-6th grades, 2008-2012; member 7th-8th grade committee, 2003-2008.
- Houston Area Review Group and Editor, “Adult Books for Young Adults” monthly column in SLJ. August 1986-June 1989; 2010-2016.
PROFESSIONAL Memberships and Committees
American Library Association Todaro Presidential Initiative, School SubCommittee Co-chair
(with Susan Ballard & Sara Kelly Johns). November 2017-present (est. completion
November 2018)
American Library Association (ALA), 1978-present.
Councilor-at-Large, 2014-2016; candidate for 2017.
American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Member, 1978-present.
Member, Advocacy Committee (Chair, 2015-16; Member 2011-2016). National School
Library Program of the Year Award Committee 2013. Publications Committee, 2010-
2012. Various committees.
Independent Schools Section (ISS).
ISS Representative to the AASL Board of Directors 2009-2012.
Founding Member of ISS, 1979. ISS Chair, 2004-5.
Various committees. Continuing member.
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Member, 1978-present.
Excellence in Nonfiction Award Committee 2013.
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Member, 1978-present
Texas Association of School Librarians Legislative and Advocacy Committee Chair, 2014-
2016. TASLTalks blog Editor, 2014-2016.
Texas School Library Standards Professionalism Subcommittee Chair, August 2016-
completion (est. Summer 2017)
Texas Library Association (TLA).
TLA Conference Program Committee, 2011-2012.
Texas Assn of School Librarians (TASL). 1978-present.
Co-Chair, Advocacy Committee April 2013-present.
Various committees.
Founder, Private School Discussion Group, 2010-2011
Young Adult Round Table (TX-YART).
Children’s Round Table (TX-CRT).
Bluebonnet Award Program Committee (joint committee of TASL and CRT), April 2005-
April 2009.
Students Need Libraries in HISD co-founder 2013-present. Local community advocacy for
school librarians.
Houston Area Independent School Library Network, Founding Chair 1980
and continuing member. Founding Editor, HAISLN Recommended Reading List (1992)
American Library Association Todaro Presidential Initiative, School SubCommittee Co-chair
(with Susan Ballard & Sara Kelly Johns). November 2017-present (est. completion
November 2018)
American Library Association (ALA), 1978-present.
Councilor-at-Large, 2014-2016; candidate for 2017.
American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Member, 1978-present.
Member, Advocacy Committee (Chair, 2015-16; Member 2011-2016). National School
Library Program of the Year Award Committee 2013. Publications Committee, 2010-
2012. Various committees.
Independent Schools Section (ISS).
ISS Representative to the AASL Board of Directors 2009-2012.
Founding Member of ISS, 1979. ISS Chair, 2004-5.
Various committees. Continuing member.
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Member, 1978-present.
Excellence in Nonfiction Award Committee 2013.
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Member, 1978-present
Texas Association of School Librarians Legislative and Advocacy Committee Chair, 2014-
2016. TASLTalks blog Editor, 2014-2016.
Texas School Library Standards Professionalism Subcommittee Chair, August 2016-
completion (est. Summer 2017)
Texas Library Association (TLA).
TLA Conference Program Committee, 2011-2012.
Texas Assn of School Librarians (TASL). 1978-present.
Co-Chair, Advocacy Committee April 2013-present.
Various committees.
Founder, Private School Discussion Group, 2010-2011
Young Adult Round Table (TX-YART).
Children’s Round Table (TX-CRT).
Bluebonnet Award Program Committee (joint committee of TASL and CRT), April 2005-
April 2009.
Students Need Libraries in HISD co-founder 2013-present. Local community advocacy for
school librarians.
Houston Area Independent School Library Network, Founding Chair 1980
and continuing member. Founding Editor, HAISLN Recommended Reading List (1992)
Other Interests
Houston Area Traditional Dance Society, Founder c. 1985. Contradance caller.
Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) Member since 1990; Governing Board member 2014-present; Vice President 2016-present.
Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) Member since 1990; Governing Board member 2014-present; Vice President 2016-present.