Meet the Team
Built by parents, tested by families, shaped by real conversations about what kids are reading.
Erik Newby
Founder & Developer
Dad of two voracious readers, software engineering director by day. Built Shelf Checkout at 2 AM one night after spending 20 minutes Googling books in a library aisle. Believes parents deserve better tools than frantic search results on a phone screen.
Shannon Newby
Content & Family Voice
Homeschool mom, maker, and the reason this app actually works for real families. Shannon is the first tester for every feature, the voice behind our parenting blog posts, and the person who keeps us honest about what parents actually need (not just what developers think they need).
Micah Vandegrift
UX Research
Research strategist with a background in academic libraries and open technology. Micah brings structured UX testing methodology to Shelf Checkout, from customer archetypes to in-library usability sessions. He helps us stay focused on what real families actually need.