Annelisa Purdie

Annelisa J. Purdie was appointed to the CCAC effective January 30, 2024 and holds one of the three positions representing the interest of general public. Annelisa comes from three generations of coin collectors and enthusiasts. She inherited her love of numismatics from her grandparents and mother, beginning her collection at the age of 6. She enjoys both learning about and sharing the history of coin production, design and composition, and believes that coins provide excellent opportunities as educational tools for children.

She holds a BA in History from New York University, an MA in American Studies from Columbia University and a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from St. John’s University. A librarian by profession, she has spent much of her career in the youth services departments of the public library sector, where she often used the U.S. Mint for Kids resources in her outreach and activity sessions. She currently works as a research and reference librarian in the private sector.

Annelisa is also a member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. She serves on the Public and School Libraries Committee where she advises on collection development, raising literacy awareness and the annual Best of the Best booklists. A fifth-generation New Yorker and the daughter of Harlemites, she still resides in the city. She is an avid classic film fan and bibliophile.