What’s Brewing - The Innovative Interfaces Blog

Robert Allen

Director, Software Engineering

Robert Allen has found that technology is constantly evolving and it is very easy to become consumed by it. In over 20 years of developing software he has learned that technology for technology's sake is like junk food...exciting but empty. If it doesn't provide a practical solution to a problem the investment in new technology is a waste. Not that he thinks we should accept the status quo. Sometimes you have to set aside the folklore and traditions to move forward. This is the exciting part of his work at Innovative, leveraging the past while keeping an open mind about the future. If anything describes his career it is the advice given early in his career, and which is summed up nicely on many Bay Area bumper stickers: Question Authority!

Stephanie Dal Pra

Systems Librarian - Encore Services

Stephanie Dal Pra spends much of her free time playing on the web- surfing, tinkering, and building sites. The librarian in her is very interested in ways to make the information on the web more findable, and the techie in her loves figuring out how stuff works! Most recently she's been spending time playing with Django and delving into the intricacies of JQuery in hopes of spicing up some of the websites she maintains. At Innovative, she currently works in the Encore Services department, implementing and supporting Encore.

Topics: software services, Encore, web design

Sandy Hurd

Director of Strategic Markets

Sandy Hurd has extensive experience in the library industry and has helped to bring to market numerous resource management and content delivery products for top information industry companies. Before joining Innovative in 2003, she held senior positions at Northern Light Technology, EBSCO Information Services, and The H.W. Wilson Company. Sandy has served on the editorial board of Serials Review (since 1996) and has spoken frequently on EDI, the serials world, web portals, and ERM. Recently, she coordinated Taiga Forum events and joined NASIG's Program Planning Committee.

Topics: Standards, eResources, Electronic Resource Management, Academic Libraries

Eric Leckbee

Product Manager

I have been at Innovative for over five years, starting with in Customer Services on the Help Desk where I specialized in the circ module and worked directly with our customers every day. This gave me hands-on experience that informs my current role here as Product Manager for Millennium Circulation. Before Innovative, I was a Research Librarian for Credit Suisse First Boston in the Technology Division, doing research on emerging companies and their various technology sectors. When not engaged in software design, I collect music, particularly vinyl records and spend a lot of time reading. I am also working on starting up my own reggae clothing business.

Topics: wireless, library self-service and patron empowerment, circulation

Kevin Montreuil

Product Manager

I have been working at Innovative for nearly a decade (10 years in August 2008). My experience with the company has included technical support for the Sales team, and several years of progressive responsibility in Product Management. I assumed responsibility for managing the translation / localization process for Millennium, WebOPAC, and other products in 2006. When not at work, I enjoy the urban experience that San Francisco offers, being as green as I can, and collecting t-shirts.

Topics: internationalization, WebPAC, standards

Dinah Sanders

Senior Product Manager

Dinah Sanders has been working the web for the last decade and is a member of the advisory boards for San Jose State University's School of Library and Information Science (for technology in courses) and for SXSW Interactive Conference. She wears her geek badge with pride.

Topics: Technology, web design, Usability, Encore, web 2.0

Spenser the Marketing Guy

Marketing Specialist

Spenser Thompson has an MLIS and has worked in academic and special libraries in California. He also has degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (Religion) and Antioch University (Psychology). Spenser is originally from Hollywood where his father made a living making music for recording artists, TV commercials and film.

Topics: Events, promotions, news from Innovative libraries, product news, and marketing libraries.