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 a new blog feature: Staff Spotlight!
One of our Associates, the passionate, always optimistic, and most likely to be voted “volunteering superwoman”, Zoily Lopez, 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?
Zoily: I am a Library Services Associate and the largest part of my job is providing information about the services the library offers to the community –whether in the library or by providing outreach in the community. Educator services is also part of my role. That consists of facilitating access to educator cards, arranging classroom collection orders, selecting items that fit the theme and grades for the classroom collection orders, conducting library tours, and visiting schools to provide information about our library. Along with this is the exam proctoring I host every Wednesday for adults doing online education and training. I have been with the library for 7 years.
WBRL: What is your educational or professional background?
Zoily: I had completed a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering in Venezuela, but when I had moved to Canada 18 years ago, I decided to stay at home with my children. In that time, I volunteered at the kids schools, church, the YMCA, and even the library. By then I knew I wanted to make a switch to do community-based work where I had more interactions with people. I started working as a part-time page at WBRL and then moved to be a part-time Assistant in the the Public Services department. At the same time, I was also working at the YMCA in Immigration Services, which gave me a lot of experience with the community. Last year I left the YMCA and moved into a full-time position at the WBRL in the role I am in now. I am also currently working on a Library and Information Technology Diploma through SAIT.
WBRL: What is a project that you worked on that excites you?
Zoily: I worked closely with the Community Engagement department to set up our Northside pilot project last summer (Storytime at the Cabin). I was able to join Community Engagement in working hard to bring information, items, and early literacy to families with young children. Also I love visiting schools to provide information about the services we offer.
WBRL: Describe a library memory or moment that brought you joy.
Zoily: Max, a senior Indigenous patron, would often stop and chat with me about music and guitar because we both shared the same love of it. He even sang me a song once. He always wanted to talk about jazz, since he used to play guitar in a jazz band. He has since passed away, but I will always have that fond memory.
WBRL: Do you have any hidden talents?
Zoily: I am artistically talented when it comes to dance, music and guitar. It’s something my family has always done together. I learned guitar from my father and my friends.
WBRL: What is your favourite genre to read?
Zoily: I read biographies a lot, from musicians, activists—anyone! I also love historical fiction, specifically, set in World War Two, I find it fascinating.
WBRL: Which book would you like to read again for the first time?
Zoily: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I’ve read it four times already; for the first time in Spanish, then English, French, then on an audiobook in English again. Each time I read it, I discover something new, especially with how my own perspective has changed over time.
Keep an eye on our blog to read more Staff Spotlight interviews!
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