“Secrets To Getting Your Books in the Stacks” — Librarians Panel on May 19th, 2024
Discover the great benefit to having libraries loan out your book for free in this exciting moderated discussion with Cristina Deptula and three local librarians. We’ll be meeting at 1955 Broadway in Oakland, right at the BART station. Before the panel we’ll enjoy coffee, cookies, and conversation…and our annual board election!
MEET THE PANELISTS!
OPL/MLK Branch: Brian Guenther
Brian Guenther has over two decades of experience working in libraries. He earned his Master of Library and Information Science degree from Wayne State University in Detroit in 2007 and launched his career as a public librarian with Fresno County in 2008. Since 2013, he has been a branch manager at the Oakland Public Library, overseeing the Martin Luther King, 81st Ave, and Rockridge Branches. Brian’s professional focus includes developing adult programming and curating collections while fostering community engagement.
- Website: www.oaklandlibrary.org/
El Cerrito Teen Librarian: Chelsea Maradiaga
Chelsea Maradiaga is the Adult/Teen Services Librarian of El Cerrito Library, one of 26 branches in the Contra Costa County Library system. Having worked in various positions for 10 years, she is committed to cultivating relationships to provide the best programming, services, and resources for the communities she responds to throughout the Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University and her Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from San Jose State University.
Hayward Library Services: Jayanti Addleman
Jayanti Addleman has been the Director of Library Services at Hayward since 2019 and prior to that was the County Librarian for 12 years at the County of Monterey. She has served as the President of both the California Library Association and the California County Librarians Association. She has won many awards for her professional work as well as for her volunteer work, including being named one of the American Library Association’s 10 “I love my Librarian” awards in 2021. She is passionate about advocating for literacy and about library service to underserved communities, and for the public library as a cultural center. Jayanti loves to write but finds that her full-time job seriously interferes with her ability to finish any of the many books and articles she has started. She hopes some day to refine and revive her blog.
- Website: fineartgoodlife.com
Moderated by Cristina Deptula

Cristina Deptula is a veteran book publicist with experience finding and reaching audiences for titles over social and traditional media. She’s also the editor of the international literary magazine Synchronized Chaos and one of the organizers of Hayward’s Lit Hop festival. She’s online at @smallandlarge.
- Website: authorslargeandsmall.com
Event Schedule
$5 for members, $10 for guests, free tickets available*
Community
12:00 Club leaders check-in
12:30 Coffee and Conversation with members & guests
Program
1:00 p.m. Club Announcements & Annual Officer Elections
1:30 p.m. Featured Panelists: Brian Guenther, Chelsea Maradiaga, Jayanti Addleman. Moderated by Cristina Deptula
2:30 p.m. Conversation & Networking
3:00 p.m. Author Support Group more info here.
See meetings for more info.

Tess Caldwell is an ambitious, dedicated and enthusiastic undergraduate Media and Screen Studies student at Northeastern University. She also serves as the Web Editor for the Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club.
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