After the Rise Library's grand opening in January, librarians Tracy Lane and Zoila Martinez settled in nicely and hit the ground running. The library has since become a foundation for residents to form positive relationships, both with books, the LVTRise staff, and other residents in the Las Vegas Trail community.
"I think the library has built a rapport and trust within the community," Lane said. "They feel more comfortable coming to us if they are in need."
Lane previously helped with community outreach and library card sign-ups in the Las Vegas Trail area with the Fort Worth Public Library. She was introduced to LVTRise Executive Director Willie Rankin and Program Director Ashley Mortimer during her partnership with the Las Vegas tRail Boys and Girls Club.
Now as a full-time librarian at the Rise Community Center, Lane assists community members in a multitude of ways. She helps adults apply for jobs and social services as well as introduces them to a variety of resources available to them at the community center.
The pandemic has limited the library's ability to host in-person programming, however, both Lane and Martinez do their best to accommodate residents with virtual programming both for adults and children.
"I love helping people get to where they need to be," Martinez said.
After getting her start with the organization Early Childhood Matters, Martinez is passionate about working with both children and adults at the Rise Library. She is hopeful that in the near future, the Rise library will be able to introduce more in-person programming.
The main component of their job is of course to help community members check out materials from the library. The Rise Library is now offering curbside pickup so that residents can request materials to be on hold and have them delivered directly to their car. For more information on curbside pickup at the Rise Library, click here.