Training & Education
Training & Education
Our company is dedicated to expertise in educating our partners and community members. All training sessions are led by professional MLS librarians and accomplished library trainers. Our comprehensive training provides hands-on on-site, or webinar personalized training. We offer new libraries internally produced training manuals and tutorial videos, refresher webinars, and follow up training sessions. Our flexible training schedule will be adapted to meet the teaching styles of your library staff. Our Education Team provides the following:
- complimentary ongoing training
- live webinar and on-demand training for new releases
- workflow analysis
- new staff member training
Our Education Team
Catrina Berka
Lead Educator
Catrina Berka
Lead Educator
Catrina is usually reading at least three books simultaneously and will gladly swap recommendations. She earned her MLS from the University of North Texas and BBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Whether it has been training colleagues corporately, leading bible studies, teaching English, or facilitating small groups, she has been teaching adults for 20 years. Catrina has work and volunteer experience in school and public libraries and is passionate about issues of intellectual freedom, censorship, and DEI. Originally from Wisconsin, Catrina now lives in North Texas with her husband, son, and two stepsons. She is an avid reader, runner, hiker, and community volunteer.
Heather Rommens
Educator
Heather Rommens
Educator
Heather grew up wandering, exploring, and getting lost in the deserts and mountains of southern and central Idaho. Her hunger for knowledge and passion for nature inspired her to earn a BA in Environmental Studies and pursue an early career in plant and animal sciences. Her dream of living in a thriving rural community led her to the Idaho panhandle, where she discovered a love for working in libraries and a devotion to their mission of empowering others through access to information and continued learning. Heather looks forward to continuing her support of libraries through her role as an Educator with ByWater Solutions. She currently lives in Moscow, ID with her husband, cat, and flock of chickens.
Holly Mills
Educator
Holly Mills
Educator
Holly spent her childhood in libraries. After a long and fruitful ramble through native plant restoration and community organizing, she found her way back to the library. As an organizer, she discovered a love of teaching and helping groups collectively reach solutions. Public libraries were the perfect place to continue that work with people of all ages and backgrounds. She is excited to share her training skills with the community of Bywater partners. She still loves plants.
Hebah Amin-Headley
Educator
Hebah Amin-Headley
Educator
Hebah spent a large portion of her formative years in libraries but took a few years after college to realize that's where she belonged in her professional career. She received her MLIS from the University of Missouri and has spent the last nearly 10 years in public libraries. When not working, she shares her life with one spouse, one future reader, and two spoiled cats. Her hobbies include knitting, crocheting, spinning her own yarn, reading, writing, and gaming.
Esther Melander
Educator
Esther Melander
Educator
Esther started working in libraries in elementary school where she volunteered her lunch time to help shelve books and create displays. Since then she has worked in book conservation at a university followed by nearly 20 years in public library service as a cataloger. She served as president of The Library of Consortium of Eastern Idaho and loved serving rural libraries. She also has experience in genealogy and family history with a special interest in DNA research. She is passionate about all things open-source and has been a devoted Linux user for many years. Esther resides in Idaho with her husband.
Sara Brown
Educator
Sara Brown
Educator
Sara received her MLS from the University at Buffalo and her BA from Goucher College. As a public librarian for the past five years, she spent many hours focused on digital equity, privacy, and access to information. Her favorite parts of the job were teaching technology classes, privacy advocacy and training for colleagues and patrons, and the chance to meet and learn from so many smart and talented people. Outside of work, she spends time with friends and family, explores on foot or bike, and weaves.
