Lauren Collen created and conducted the first research project to look at using digitized picture books from the International Children's Digital Library for preschool group storytimes; she is the author of "The Digital and Traditional Storytimes Research Project: Using Digitized Picture Books for Preschool Group Storytimes," published in 2006 by Children & Libraries.

She is now the Library Media Specialist at Greenwood Elementary School in Woodstock, Illinois, and uses digital storytimes in her library and technology classes with students in grades 1-5. Lauren has also conducted workshops for teachers and librarians at National-Louis University, North Suburban Library System (Chicago, IL), and the Illinois School Library Media Association annual conference on how to best use this fabulous new tool.

In 2007, Lauren was selected to participate in Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative, a year-long leadership and mentoring program sponsored by the Illinois State Library and the Illinois Secretary of State. She is the founder of The Shelter Storytimes Project, a volunteer organization that brings trained teachers and librarians into shelters to read to children.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Wayne State University and an MLIS from Dominican University's Graduate School of Library and Information Science. She is a certified School Library Information Specialist, a member of Beta Phi Mu, and in 2005 was named the C. Berger Entrepreneurial Promise Award recipient.

Contact Lauren