Max La Mura has been a Librarian in the Research Department with the Palm Beach County Library system since November 2019. He received his MLIS from the University of South Florida in 2018. He previously worked for Miami-Dade Public Library System as a Children's librarian. While Max was with the Boca Raton Public Library he worked as a Library Assistant for the Program Services, Circulation, and Instructional Services departments. Some of his past projects included the development of the Discover Studio and Youth Makers program (Boca Raton Public Library) and he is currently the Pop Up Media Lab Coordinator for the Palm Beach County Library - Glades Road Branch.
Max has been a member of the United Way committee for the Palm Beach County Library System since 2021; other notable achievements include SSLLI Graduate 2018-2019. Additionally, he is an accomplished Trombonist having received his Masters of Trombone Performance from Florida Atlantic University.
Jessica is enrolled at FSU and will graduate in December 2023 with a Master of Science in Information. In May 2023, she was awarded Florida Library Association's FSU Scholarship. She has been employed in various roles within the Palm Beach County Library System since 2009, working her way up to a member services manager. She is involved in multiple committees within the Palm Beach County Library System and has received several employee recognition awards from her peers.
Craig, originally from Rochester, NY, is the Branch Manager of the Glades Road Branch Library of the Palm Beach County Library System. He has worked in libraries for the past 15 years when he started off as a Library Page. When he's not working, he's busy reading YA books, catching up on the latest TV shows, exploring new areas, and hanging out with friends. Craig's corgi, Biscuit, loves to cuddle in your lap but is also up for seeing how loud he can squeak his favorite squeaker toy.
Back in Rochester, Craig was a committee member of the Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival. This festival brought together thousands of teens on a college campus to meet their favorite YA authors for free. Here in West Palm Beach, Craig continues his expertise in book festivals such as the BAM (Books, Art, and Music) Festival of West Palm Beach held each spring. Since joining PBCLA in 2019, he’s been able to advocate services for library members of all ages!
When you see him, ask him what a garbage plate is. Trust him, it's great!
Amanda earned her Bachelor’s in Information Studies from Florida State University. She began working for the Palm Beach County Library System (PBCLS) in May 2001 as a Library Associate II in the Serials department. In February 2006, she was promoted to Library Technician in Serials. After graduating in 2012 from Florida State University with a Master’s in Library and Information Studies, Amanda started as a Reference Librarian at the Acreage branch of PBCLS where she taught computer classes and hosted programs in addition to reference work. In October 2017, Amanda was promoted to Collection Development Librarian for PBCLS and her focus is on eBooks, e-audiobooks, DVDs, and CDs. Amanda is a graduate of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute; has received several Employee Recognition Awards and a Golden Palm; and has been a member of PBCLA since 2013.
Kristina is currently the Systemwide Adult Activities Coordinator for the Palm Beach County Library System. She began her library career in 2007 working as a student employee at the Wellington Branch Library of PBCLS. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2012, earning Bachelor’s degrees in both Criminal Justice and Sociology. Soon after, she became a Library Associate II in Children and Teen Services at the Wellington Branch Library. During her time at the Wellington Branch, she earned her Master’s in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University in 2017. After receiving her MLIS, she became a Research Librarian at the Acreage Branch Library in 2018.
During her time at PBCLS, Kristina has served in the United Way Committee, SEFLIN Regional Conference Planning Committee, and is currently the chair of the PBCLS Employee Recognition Awards Committee, chair of the PBCLA Communications Committee, and a member of the PBCLA Nominating Committee.
Charlene Alonso was born and raised in Florida. She is married for 22 years with four children. She started with Palm Beach County in 2007 as a Preschool teacher with the Head Start Program until it ended in 2014. She started with the PBCLS Main Library in 2020 as a Library Associate II and was promoted to Library Associate III in Member Services in 2021. She conducts passport interviews and many programs and book discussions for the community. The years spent working at the library has increased her passion for helping people, learning new things, and being part of community outreach. She is also a founding member of the PBCLS African American Alliance Committee. When she's not working, she enjoys reading books, exploring new places, watching lifetime movies, and hanging out with friends and family.
Doris Mendez-DeMaio is the Branch Manager of the Palm Beach County Library System’s Acreage Branch in beautiful Loxahatchee, Florida. She began her library career as a Children’s Librarian at PBCLS’s Hagen Ranch Branch in 2012. In 2015, she became the Head of Children and Teen Services at the Main Library. Doris was promoted to her current position in 2018 where she has focused on mentoring and leading her team to pursue their career goals.
Alia Spencer is currently a faculty librarian at Palm Beach State College. She earned a Masters in Library and Information Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Ms. Spencer is a member of the Medical Library Association and Palm Beach County Reentry Taskforce. Her work explores the positive impact of academic instructions in the health, development, and education of returning residents. In her spare time, Ms. Spencer enjoys supporting community outreach efforts that improve the quality and length of life for those in underserved communities.
Born and raised in South Florida, I’ve always had a genuine passion for the libraries that serve our region. My professional experience includes almost two decades working at the Boynton Beach City Library, where I started in high school and held progressively-experienced roles, working my way up to Assistant to the Library Director. I possess a master’s degree in accounting and am currently pursuing a master of science in Information degree at Florida State University. Libraries have fostered in me a deep appreciation for the power of knowledge and assisting others in their pursuit of information. In my leisure time, I find joy in indulging my creative side through crafting and exploring the wonders of the world through travel with my husband and daughter.