4 minute read
Meet the Ygnacio Valley Library Staff
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By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991
As the days grow shorter and the mornings crisper, thoughts of falling leaves and rainy days make me daydream of curling up with a great book. My next great read usually comes from the library. And so, it seems the perfect time of year to take a closer look at one of our community’s biggest assets: The Ygnacio Valley Library and the people who work there.
The YV Library was dedicated on Sept. 13, 1975, making it part of our neighborhood for 44 years now. The property was donated by Mrs. Nellie G. Casey in memory of her husband Thurman Casey. The Caseys owned 53 acres in the Ygnacio Valley, growing walnuts. They sold most of the property to developers, where many of our homes sit now.
The library supports the entire community and is much more than a place to get great books. It offers lectures, author talks, story times, a meeting room, online access, and a plethora of services like free museum tickets, free access to Ancestry.com, and movies.
Michael Beller, the manager at the YV Library, says,
Michael joined the YV Library two years ago, but has been with other libraries for 28 years including the Stanford University Library and Mills College Library. He’s an Oakland A’s fan, loves lunchtime walks in our open space and often sports one of his many interesting bow ties. He can recite the history of polka dots and loves working with library patrons and staff to come up with programs that best support our community.
Elsie, Adult and Teen Services Librarian, has spent 20 years with Contra Costa Libraries from Brentwood to Hercules to Danville.
She has Master’s Degrees in Folklore and Library Science, loves reading and is responsible for outreach to schools and community organizations. She’s also an excellent resource for research.
The friendly YV Library staff is ready to help, from left to right: Matthew, Stephen, Lori, Michael, Dawn, Elsie and Jason
Tom, the Children’s Services Librarian, is a Bay Area native with his Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from San Jose State. He has been with the Contra Costa Libraries for 10 years, most of that time at the Walnut Creek branch. He enjoys the friendly neighborhood vibe of the YV Library and hosting storytime for toddlers every week.
Marie is a Library Assistant and coordinates the volunteers for the YV branch. She came to her library career six years ago, having previously worked at Lucky Supermarkets and as a 911 dispatcher in Richmond. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree, a B.S. in Health Education. She enjoys the lovely, walk-able neighborhood and all the great lunch spots. Marie says, “And a huge thank you to all the patrons who stop by to bring us treats! The library staff love all the goodies!”
Stephen, also a Library Assistant, has been in his library career for 20 years, and 3 years at YV. He runs the After School Homework Help program. Fun facts to know about Stephen are that he was once King Walnut at the annual Walnut Festival and plays the drums. His band once opened for the The Bangles, a pop rock band famous for its 1987 hit “Walk Like an Egyptian.”
Suzanne, a Library Clerk, has been with the YV library for 15 months. Prior to that, she was in Construction Administration for 20 years. She is proud of starting a new career in her 50’s; the library is her happy place. “When I look out and see everyone absorbed in what they are doing, whether it is working together or studying alone it [the library] feels vibrant and full of life and new possibilities.”
Lori is a Library Clerk whose focus is Customer Service. She has been with the YV branch for 18 years. “Long enough,” she says, “to see area toddlers grow into well-educated young adults.” She provides artrelated programs and bus tours for patrons interested in the arts. She raised four amazing kids and now has 5 incredible grandchildren, one of which illustrated the book The Beauty Within, written by her son.
All who work at the YV Library enjoy being part of this community. Michael adds,
YV Library Staff’s Favorite Books
Michael: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Elsie: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Tom: The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
Marie: Aztec by Gary Jennings
Stephen: No favorite but two come close - Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Suzanne: East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Lori: The Beauty Within by Derek Wogsland
