Between the Lines: June Member Spotlight
Esmeralda Majors
Librarian and Media Specialist
Creighton Elementary, Conroe ISD
What inspired you to become a librarian?
I’ve always been a bookworm, but I was inspired to become a librarian after teaching bilingual 4th grade for several years. There was so much testing involved that many of my students thought reading was something you only did for a test. I felt that as a librarian, I could reach children earlier and show them how fun and enjoyable reading could actually be! Plus, as a librarian I could have a larger impact in my school community.
What is an innovative practice at your library that you’d like to share with others?
An innovative practice that I implemented at my current campus was to write a grant and bring a STEM/Robotics Cart into the library. The cart has over 18 curated and ready-to-go Makerspace/Robotics activities that the students really enjoy. Students also give me suggestions on what to add/delete from the cart, so the activities are always changing. Student voice is important to me and this is one example of their input into what goes on in the library. Additionally, having this cart in the library has inspired me to branch out and I now sponsor an after-school 3rd Grade STEM Club. Plus, I’m in the process of organizing a school-wide Family STEM Night for our community. Getting the STEM cart definitely made an impact in my library programming.
If you could have dinner with three authors (living or dead), who would they be and why?
There are so many to choose from! Greg Iles (Dead Sleep, The Quiet Game, other thrillers) because his books are full of twists and turns. It would be so interesting to have a conversation with him and learn about his writing process. Mary Roach (Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void) because she got me hooked on non-fiction (also her writing is so entertaining and witty!) and Dav Pilkey (Dog Man, Captain Underpants) because I would become an instant celebrity to my students!
What are you reading right now?
I’m currently reading The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry, Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl and The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix.
What is your most memorable Texas Library Association Experience?
My most memorable TLA experience would have to be attending the 2019 Tall Texan Institute. Aside from the knowledge I gained, being surrounded by so many talented individuals was inspiring! After attending the Institute, I have become more self-confident and more of a risk-taker. Also, I’ve kept in touch with other attendees and developed some great relationships. I can’t say enough good things about this experience and would encourage others to apply to future institutes.