MEET OUR HELFELD SCHOLARS
Annually, ACL offers free one-year memberships and support to new librarians in a program called the Helfeld Scholars. Named after Dorothy Helfeld, who was a long-time member, this is a way for us to grow our membership and mentor new book reviewers and children’s librarians. Applicants for the program are interviewed and chosen from a pool of interested library school students and newer library employees. This year, the committee making the selection was chaired by Celia Jackson, and included Eboni Weston, Jennifer Agarwal, and Joy Shioshita. Please join us in welcoming our four newest Helfeld Scholars, who we will also honor at our in-person meeting on Oct. 9, 2026.
Jenevieve Francisco: Hello! My name is Jenevieve and I am so excited to be honored as a 2026-2027 Dorothy Helfeld fellow and to be a part of ACL! I was first introduced to ACL’s Bayviews on a walk through an Oakland neighborhood, when I spied a little free library and started talking with the neighbor who put it there. Little did I know that years later as a SJSU MLIS student, and by way of Penny Peck’s Materials for Children class that I would get the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful organization! I am now in my third year as a graduate student with an interest in becoming a children’s librarian, possibly in a school setting. I have a beautiful, energetic 4.5 year old, who just started TK this summer! My husband and I have been trying to keep up with her ever since she was born. I am currently the Community Life Director at Piedmont Gardens retirement community, and I also play with a local Filipina folk trio called the Sampaguitas. I am looking forward to seeing where this new chapter leads!
Sunny Bilan: Hi, I’m Sunny and I’m excited to be a member of the ACL. I grew up spending hours in my local library, and that early love of books and quiet reading corners has stayed with me ever since. After more than 17 years as a special education teacher across California, I recently completed my MLIS at San José State University and earned my California Teacher Librarian Services Credential. I am ready to bring that childhood passion full circle into school librarianship. I especially love helping young readers discover books they connect with. When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me reading, baking, traveling, or spending time with family and friends.
Nereida Bravo: I’m a children’s librarian at the Belvedere Tiburon Library with a background in evolutionary biology, and formerly a field biologist, bringing together my passion for science, community engagement, and lifelong learning in my work. I’m also deeply involved in my community through volunteer service with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), including the District English Language Learners Subcommittee (DELLS) and the Parent and Student Advisory Committee (PSAC), where I advocate for inclusive educational opportunities and stronger support for students and families.
Two of my favorite books are Watercress by Andrea Wang and Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin. Outside of work, I enjoy baking and spending time with my husband and two kids (a 2nd and 7th grader).
Natalie Canellas: I currently work as a librarian for the City of Alameda (Alameda Free Library), though I do not have my MLIS. I have my library technician’s degree from Diablo Valley College and a Master of Education from National University. After about eight months of work and research, I re-opened the Garfield Elementary School library in the Spring of 2023. This was an incredibly impactful and rewarding experience, and I stayed at Garfield as a school librarian and taught about thirty classes a week until May of 2025. I made the switch to public libraries shortly after and have worked on-call at Oakland Public Library and now full-time in Alameda Free Library. I am passionate and enthusiastic about library work! It has been my greatest accomplishment to build a library and to continue to uplift them. My students at Garfield are my favorite people on planet Earth.
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