Our staff are our pride and joy! They keep this place running smoothly; making sure our community has the materials they need while offering original programming and library services for our treasured patrons. We’re excited to share more about the amazing staff who work at Wood Buffalo Regional Library in our blog feature: Staff Spotlight!
One of our Library Services staff, always welcoming, stacked with chic accessories, and almost certainly to be voted “likeliest to teach a patron a new language”, Norelis Rodriguez, sat down with us for our next staff spotlight interview.
WBRL: What is your role at our library and how long have you been working here?
Norelis: I am a full time Associate in the Library Services department, in my role I am usually at one of the service desks checking items out, creating library cards, helping patrons with their technology and database questions, and helping people use our computers and self-checkouts. I have been working here for nine years this November.
WBRL: What is your educational or professional background?
Norelis: I studied law at the University of Los Andes in Venezuela and afterwards became a lawyer. For years I worked in this profession until I needed to stay at home with my children while my husband worked abroad.
WBRL: Is there a project you are working on or an aspect of your job that that really excites you?
Norelis: While it’s not a large aspect of my role, the smaller interactions I have with patrons tend to bring me the most excitement and joy. When children come to the library, we give stickers away as they are leaving. Watching the process of growth from a toddler gaining the courage to come ask for a sticker, to them running in with excitement to tell me what story they may have read or what program they’re going to—it’s just a wonderful thing to see.
Also being able to see the surprised look on a new patron’s face when I tell them the long list of things we have for them to borrow from our library besides our collection of books is always great to see.
WBRL: Describe a library memory or moment that has brought you joy.
Norelis: One day I was helping a mother and her 3-year-old toddler use one of our self-checkout machines and while I was instructing her I felt a little tug on my pants. When I looked down, he had his little arms wrapped around my leg and was giving it a great big hug. The mother encouraged me to pick him up and give him a hug, which I had to do of course. It’s the little interactions like this that bring me motivation to go to work every day.
WBRL: Do you have any talents that don’t get a chance to shine at the library?
Norelis: Yes! I started to make my own beaded jewelry while I was staying home with my children in Venezuela. Before then I worked as a lawyer, so it really opened this creative spirit inside me that I didn’t know I had. Eventually we opened a store in Venezuela where I would sell my bracelets. I am currently still creating and selling them in Wood Buffalo through the Arts Council Wood Buffalo, and my daughter has joined me by selling them in Calgary. But who knows, maybe there will be a Norelis Designs store here one day!
WBRL: Is there a random subject that you are so knowledgeable about that you could write a whole book on it?
Norelis: I could write a book on bead and gemstone quality and what their meanings are just from my creative work making them. People want to know that what they are getting isn’t just high quality—they usually want to know what it means so they can have a personal connection to the piece they are selecting.
WBRL: What is your current or last read?
Norelis: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden it was a suspenseful thriller that had a touch of romance to it, but there were some very dark aspects to it. It’s about a maid who is trapped in an odd situation between her employers who are a couple. I highly recommend it!
Keep an eye on our blog to read more Staff Spotlight interviews!
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