Congratulations to OYEA winner Violeta Garza!

Every year, OYAN recognizes an individual, library, program, or initiative that has made a positive and significant contribution to teens in libraries in the state of Oregon. The 2021 winner is Violeta Garza, former Youth Librarian with Multnomah County Library. Violeta is a fierce champion for youth in East County, the most underserved area of Multnomah County. Through her enthusiasm and kindness she provided a safe space and leadership opportunities for her youth. In 2015, she supported her White Lotus Japanese Club in the wildly successful teen-led White Lotus Con. One family even drove 50 miles from Silverton to Gresham for the event! The strong and meaningful relationships she has created with youth have continued long after they’ve moved on. 

The OYEA! Award includes a $100 donation to the teen services program of the recipient’s choice. Violeta has chosen to give that money to Family of Friends Mentoring in Gresham, OR.

Read more about what her colleagues and the teens have to say:

When I first met Violeta Garza, she was enthusiastically encouraging people to purchase raffle tickets for an OYAN fundraiser at an OLA Conference. It was readily apparent that she had a huge heart for teens, and her passion was contagious. I knew then that this was a librarian I wanted to get to know. Since then, I have gotten to see the impact of her work as a teen librarian, as an advocate and ally for youth, as an inspiration to colleagues, and as a leader in OLA. It is with these things in mind that I recommend her for OYAN’s You’re Excellent Award.

By all accounts — staff and teen volunteers — Violeta has been a champion for youth in East Multnomah County. At the Troutdale library, Violeta encouraged her teens to bring structure to their Teen Council so they could build leadership skills, all the while respecting their need for autonomy. She championed teen-led programming, including her support of Troutdale Library’s White Lotus Japanese Club, who hosted a successful White Lotus Con–a family-friendly event that included craft stations, a Japanese dance lesson, and a cosplay workshop and contest. She also made opportunities for teens to shadow her in storytime and outreach at schools, where she worked tirelessly to make sure teens knew about the services and resources that the library offers. Violeta performs her work with passion and dedication, with the purpose of recognizing underserved teens and how they can contribute to their community with equity and inclusivity. At Troutdale Library she became a confident source when teens needed an ear, and was an outlet for help when one  young person was experiencing homelessness.  She has been an inspiration and a vital role model for myself and for other colleagues in her approach to working with teens. 

For the past year, Violeta has had to pause her work with youth due to health issues. However, this hasn’t stopped her from keeping up the relationships she’s already built — this summer she drove up to Washington to have lunch and visit an old Teen Council member who was in need of some TLC and guidance. Other Teen Council members have moved far away, as far as the Philippines, but they still make time to keep in touch with her. When Violeta and I meet up for coffee, it’s not uncommon for her to get a text from an old Teen Council member who’s reaching out just to say hi, or for some guidance in a difficult time. 

In librarianship, we often talk about how building relationships is one of our most vital roles in our communities. And in youth librarianship particularly, we know how important developmental relationships are and how pivotal they can be in a young person’s success. Violeta embodies these principles and puts them into practice by simply being who she is. She has an ability to develop strong, trusting relationships with teens that has made a tremendous impact in their lives. She’s served as a role model for me and other colleagues in her approach to working with teens. And she’s dedicated herself to serving and promoting teen services not only at her library system, but at the state level by co-chairing the Oregon Young Adult Network. Attached, you’ll find a letter from a past Teen Council member in support of Violeta’s nomination for this award. 

Thank you very much for your consideration, 

Amy Fellows, Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Constance Cramer, Library Clerk, Multnomah County Library

Jane Corry, Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Jeanine Diaz, Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Barbara Head, Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Bobbye Hernandez, Bilingual Spanish Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Danielle Jones, Teen and Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Suzanne Jones, Library Assistant, Multnomah County Library

Annie Lewis, Early Childhood Services Manager, Multnomah County Library

Alonso Meléndez, Interim Belmont Supervisor, Multnomah County Library

Brianne Williams, Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library

OYAN Review: 2019 Spring

OYAN Review: Spring 2019

In this issues, learn about…

• Goblins in the Library! (Salem Public Library)
• Congratulations to OYEA Winner Danielle Jones
• Deschutes Public Library’s Youth Lit Fest
• 2019 Book Rave Titles Announced
• Why Alex Gino Is Just the Best (Multnomah County Library’s Rockwood Branch)
• And more!

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed an article — it’s really fun to get to share your accomplishments and experiences!

OYEA! 2015 Winner—Aimee Meuchel

By Mark Richardson, Cedar Mill Library

Aimee Meuchel, Teen Librairan at Tualatin Public Library

On Thursday April 16th, I was fortunate to present Aimee Meuchel with the OYEA award for excellence in teen services.  I’ve known Aimee for many years and to say she is deserving of this award is an understatement.  Aimee is a fierce advocate for teens and teen services and is constantly trying to improve the lives of the teens that walk through the doors at Tualatin Public Library.  She’s a creative programmer, a voracious reader of YA lit and simply an easy person to talk to – something many teens need more than anything else.  But don’t take my word for it, here are some quotes from her supervisor and teens.

From Jerianne Thompson, her Director:

Aimee strives to develop programs that are engaging and interesting to teens; the consistently high attendance at these programs proves her success.  Between July 2014 and February 2015, the Tualatin Library presented 153 programs for teens, with a total program attendance of 1688.  These programs have included after-hours book-themed parties (Divergent and Hunger Games), an after-hours medieval murder mystery called A Knight of Murder, a mini maker Faire during Teen Tech Week, Kaleidoscope Run (a “color run” presented in partnership with the Youth Advisory Council), crafting programs like Ugly Dolls and Mechanipults, gaming tournaments, Teen Top Chef (promoting healthy eating and active living), an Unlucky in Love party on Friday, February 13, and monthly programs like Animanga.  The weekly Teen Movie Night has recently grown to 40+ teens attending every Friday.  These programs offer teens not only fun but an opportunity for social interaction and teamwork.  Aimee also contributes to other youth programs, including presenting a weekly preschool storytime and partnering with the Children’s Librarian to present a week-long Create & Animate Camp for tweens last summer.

Mark Richardson handing Aimee her award.

From a teen, aged 15:

Aimee positively impacts (teen’s) lives.  She has helped teens dealing with any problems with school, stress, and boredom by always being her cheerful self.  I personally have always been troubled with meeting new people and interacting socially in group settings.  I once tried to avoid anyone I could (because of) the embarrassment of trying to talk to others until I met Aimee.  She was very open and welcoming to me and always tried to make sure I kept a smile on my face.  She helped to reassure me to be ok with talking to other teens and challenge myself to go to more social events around the community.  She encouraged me to go to more teen programs around the library, and there I have met many amazing people that I am happy to call my friends.  It was because of having Aimee around to cheer me up that I was able to find confidence in myself and in my abilities of making a difference in my community.  I would never have become the person I am today if it weren’t for talking to that special little red-haired librarian.  Today, I am proud to be working on the Teen Library Committee with Aimee and she has shown great commitment in keeping the teen programs here fun and exciting.  Aimee is with no doubt an amazing person and a spectacular librarian.

Another teen:

I met Aimee my first summer of volunteering, I was incredibly shy, and not one to take leadership roles head on.  However, Aimee recommended that I apply to join the Teen Library Committee to work on my leadership skills and work with other volunteers on large projects.  It was because of Aimee that I began to actively seek out leadership opportunities and become more involved with my community.  Without her guidance and support throughout the years, I would have never grown out of my shell or realized how much I enjoy helping others.  Because she taught me the value of a good and strong work ethic, I improved in school, and was not daunted by higher level classes. Her guidance has been invaluable, she is one of the kindest people I have ever met, and I am very blessed to have had the pleasure of working with her, and she deserves all the best in the world.

As you can see, Aimee engenders strong feelings with those teens that she works with.  Aimee was made to be a teen librarian.  I’ve stolen many an idea from her and I use her as a benchmark all the time to guide me in how I approach teen services.  She is an incredibly worthy recipient of this year’s OYEA Award.

Fresh Off the Press: 2015 Sprint OYAN Review!

Check out the Spring OYAN Review!

You will find program ideas on making stop-motion videos, starting a crafting club, and providing early literacy programs for teen parents. Plus insights to letting go of your teen council, meet the new OYEA Award winner Aimee Meuchel, an interview with author of Jackaby, William Ritter, and much more.

Download your copy today!

201505-ReviewSpring