Join the Iowa Association for School Librarians President, Linda Smithson, for a discussion featuring the Snarky Librarian, Amy Drake, and the Iowa State Education Association's Vice President, Kelly McMahon. From internet fame highlighting school libraries, to a perspective from the state's largest union, we'll hear incredible stories from these powerhouse educators as we close out our 2026 conference.
Amy Drake, known on Instagram and TikTok as The Snarky Librarian, is a Teacher Librarian in her 11th year of library service and 27th year in education. Having taught ELA, Speech, Debate, and Psychology alongside directing theater and advising Student Council, she brings a well-rounded pedagogical perspective to her work. She has carved out a unique social media niche in library sustainability, specializing in budget-conscious resource management and book repair. She frequently shares her tips, lesson plans, and library hacks with a growing online community of fellow educators.
Kelly McMahon teaches Kindergarten at Hoover Community School in Cedar Rapids, IA. She has spent her 25 year teaching career working with students in grades PreK -First. Kelly is a 2002 graduate from the University of Northern Iowa, where she majored in Elementary Education with endorsements in the area of Reading and Social Studies. She earned her M.A. In Reading and Language Arts in 2007 from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI. Kelly currently serves as the Vice President of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). ISEA is the largest labor union in Iowa, representing more than 30,000 educators across the state of Iowa.
Linda Smithson is the District Teacher Librarian for Clinton Community School District, serving students at both Clinton Middle School and Clinton High School. With more than 30 years in education, she holds degrees in Elementary Education, Reading, and Library and Information Science. In addition to her work as a school librarian, Linda has served on the Bettendorf Board of Education and is an active member of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). She currently serves as President of the Iowa Association of School Librarians and is a member of the Freedom to Read Foundation.
Linda has presented at numerous conferences on libraries, education, and advocacy. She is passionate about literacy, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to school library services and enjoys creating innovative library programs that connect students with books, information, and opportunities to become lifelong readers.
