Between the Lines: August Member Spotlight

Rachel Reeves

Technical Services Manager – Denton Public Library

1. What inspired you to become a librarian?

I’ve always been an avid reader and being in service to the community was instilled in me from a young age: campaigning door to door for former Speaker of the House Jim Wright with my grandpa as a child, seeing my mom serve as a Kiwanis officer, my aunt volunteering as an election worker, etc. I worked in parks and recreation before becoming a librarian, so I have spent many years working in public service. Having a career that allows me to impact the community and do work related to literacy/reading is amazing!

2. What is an innovative practice at your library/organization (current or former) would you like to share with others?

The Denton Public Library has been engaging in outreach at the local juvenile detention center to bring Dungeons & Dragons to the teens there. These gaming sessions with center residents help develop logical reasoning and improve social skills in addition to building camaraderie and fostering collaboration among the participants. The goal is to encourage moralistic problem-solving and creative solutions to challenges amongst the at-risk teens while strengthening our partnership with the community. I’m not involved in the project myself, but I think it’s amazing!

3. If you could have dinner with three authors (living or dead), who would they be and why?

I frequently attend author events, and even travel to go to them, so I have met many of the authors I love. Emily Henry is a favorite who rarely ever does author events, so her for sure. My other two, not best known as authors but have written books and are my two personal heroes, would be Bryan Stevenson and Hannah Shaw (Kitten Lady).

4. What are you reading right now?

I mainly listen to audiobooks on my commute to and from work. My current listen is Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke.

5. What is your most memorable Texas Library Association experience?

The experience that will likely stay with me the longest was the screening of “The Librarians” film at TLA 2025 in Dallas. Sitting with Audrey Wilson Youngblood and other former Keller ISD library folks and seeing what we experienced as part of the film is hard to put into words. Watching it in a room filled with fellow librarians who really knew and understood was impactful as well.

6. Advice to new librarians?

Get involved…attend conferences, serve on committees, etc. with TLA. If your local area has professional groups that have meetings, go to them, and join their email lists if they have them (ex. Tekkies in the DFW area for Tech Services). The connections I have made and all that I learn from my peers is phenomenal. I always know someone to reach out to for ideas, reviews of vendors or products, support, etc. Having a network makes such a difference in not just your professional development but also your well-being.

7. Share your hobbies, hidden talents, or anything people might not know about you.

I’ve watched every season of every incarnation of The Bachelor and Love is Blind, so if you want to dish on trashy TV, I’m your girl.

8. Please finish this sentence. “I am a TLA member because…”

I love being connected with amazing library peers across the state and learning together how we can make a difference in the communities we serve.