As a child growing up in Louisiana, Angela Watkins remembers seeing her grandmother sitting at the kitchen table with the newspaper, trying to teach herself to read. Her grandmother, who grew up on a plantation, was only able to receive a 3rd-grade education. Watkins didn’t know at the moment, but that interaction set her on a path to librarianship.
“That [memory] still moves me to want to help others, especially children in our community,” said Watkins, director of Aztec (N.Mex) Public Library. “There’s nothing like watching the joy on the face of a person when they learn to read.”
At the American Library Association’s (ALA) President’s Program, held during ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, Watkins and other librarians shared highlights of their work and inspirations. They were invited by ALA President Emily Drabinski, who moderated the panel discussion.
“Libraries need understanding,” said Gerald Moore, manager of Charleston County (S.C.) Public Library’s (CCPL) Dorchester Road branch, when asked about the pressing needs of libraries and library workers today. “We need people to understand what we do; we need people to understand the necessity of libraries. They need to understand the library is a place where you can hit the reset button and start all over again, and there’s no judgement.”
While discussing proud moments from this past year, Moore talked about CCPL’s community fridge program, which offers fresh food to those facing food insecurity. Watkins talked about installing soundproof stalls for patrons to attend magistrate court and telehealth appointments, a great need in her rural community where healthcare providers can be as far as 50 miles away.
Kathleen Nubel, adult services librarian at Des Moines (Iowa) Public Library (DMPL) shared about her institution’s growing Library of Things collection, which offers residents across the state access to items like carpet cleaners and radon detectors. Christina Gavin, librarian at Midwood High School in Brooklyn, New York, discussed her robust efforts to organize school librarians in New York City. An elected union delegate for her chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, she helped form a subcommittee of school librarians on the contract negotiations committee.
“A saying I really like is, ‘Solidarity is a verb,’” Gavin said. “In libraries, that extends to your patrons but also your internal supporters … Whoever your people are, find them, don’t be afraid to ask them for help, and don’t be afraid to help them. We’re all in this work together.”
Before working at DMPL’s Central Library, Nubel—who was raised in the area—said not only was she was unaware of the great need that existed in her community, but also how many residents in need rely on the library. Libraries always need more funding and resources, she said, but she implored attendees to push for the same for other public institutions.
“It’s important for us as librarians, as people who care, to advocate for the strengthening of the social safety net. It’s great that you can come to the library and apply for all of these resources … but the library shouldn’t be the only place you can come to do that.”
