Sonja Somerville is the Programming and Outreach Supervisor for the Salem Public Library, managing the Youth Services team that focuses on services and programs for children ages 0-18. This is her third position serving the Salem community at Salem Public Library. After starting out as a daily newspaper reporter and editor in Northern Illinois, she initially came to the library as Community Relations Coordinator, managing marketing and public relations, volunteer coordination, and grant writing. Sonja then earned her Masters of Library and Information Science from Drexel University and took on the role of Senior Librarian for Teen Services, building a vibrant program to serve the needs of middle and high school students in Salem’s first dedicated Teen Scene area. Sonja is active in the Oregon Library Association, with past work on various committees and projects, most notably serving as Chair of the Oregon Young Adult Network, Conference Program Chair, and Conference Chair for the 2024 OLA annual conference. Sonja spent many years supporting children and teachers as a Parent Club leader at various schools. Now that her two daughters have launched into adulthood, she is free to pursue other ambitions, such as mastering speed puzzling and seeing lots of live theater. Sonja grew up in Portland and now lives in Salem with her English teacher husband and two adorable but pesky dogs.
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