“Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.”
~ Flavia Weedn
A Great First Impression
I have heard it said that a first impression can be a lasting one, and I believe that can be true. When I first met Regina, she was leaving the job interview, coming through the staff area with the most genuine smile. She somehow stubbed her toe, and there was something about the way she handled herself that made me think, "I hope they hire her!" She was so down to earth, with a warm way about her, and fortunately, that still holds true to this day.
A Wealth of Experience
My hopes were answered when we were blessed to have Regina join us at the Baldwin Boettcher Library in January 2013. She brought a wealth of experience from various positions, making her an invaluable asset to the library system. In the corporate world, Regina served as an administrative secretary and an IT Programmer. During her 14 years at Aldine ISD, her roles included second-grade teacher, substitute teacher, and paraprofessional.
Since joining Harris County, Regina has continued to spread her wings, serving our patrons in so many ways! She became a branch Literacy Coordinator in 2015 and has done Teen Literacy with Barbara Bush Branch Library at Spring ISD. In 2020, she became a Career Online High School Coordinator, teaching adult basic education and enriching the lives of her students. Career Online High School, or COHS, is a wonderful program that offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma. She participated in the “Do the Write Thing Challenge” from 2016 to 2020. She was an amazing Virtual Book Buddy in 2020, and in 2015 became a Circulation Representative attending meetings and relaying all the important information to the staff.
Regina has worn many hats while working at the library: processing periodicals and newspapers, checking registration forms, assisting the Manager with monthly stats, Reference by Mail, Book Hunters, desk-time, helping with Warming Centers, outreaches, and so much more. She also went back to school in 2017 to get her Master's of Library Science. She graduated in the summer of 2020.
Creativity and Inspiration
Regina is not just book smart; she also has an amazing creative side. She paints gorgeous artwork and has published a book of inspiring poetry that you can check out at the library. You can find it on Amazon as well. She is also a valued member of the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library writing group, Word Crafters!
Mom and Caregiver
Another beautiful hat Regina wears that is probably her most prized accomplishment is raising four amazing kids. They have all become creative and productive adults with wonderful achievements of their own, ranging from the Air Force Reserves to being a graphic artist. Regina is also a caretaker for her beloved Mom. She is certainly the strong glue that holds her family together and has been juggling family life and her strong work ethic all these years!
There is still much more I could highlight about Regina's accomplishments and the incredible services she has provided to the public. She started doing Booktalks in 2020 and launched an art program called Ease Into Art. Patrons love it! She got her Youth Services Certification in May of 2020, and she became part of the Reconsideration Committee in 2022. She was a volunteer deputy registrar from 2023 – 24 and Voting Initiatives in 2023. Her most recent accomplishment is becoming Assistant Branch Manager in January of this year, and she is filling those shoes beautifully!
Integrity and Compassion
But above all of these wonderful accomplishments and amazing services that Regina has enriched our patrons with over the years, I think that the thing that truly stands out for me is her integrity and compassion for others. Regina is a true humanitarian and one of the best listeners I have ever known; two qualities that make someone in customer service amazing at their job. These beautiful traits are also part of what makes her a wonderful friend and colleague. She is an absolute blessing to work with, and I am honored to both work with her and be the one featuring her here today!
Recommended Resources
My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice
Impactful Community-based Literacy Projects
Building Literacy With English Language Learners
The Library's Role in Supporting Financial Literacy for Patrons
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