Between the Lines: September Member Spotlight
Wenndy Pray
Librarian
Rafael Cantu Jr. High School
What inspired you to become a librarian?
As a high school English teacher, I collaborated with two librarians who inspired me to pursue a graduate degree in library science. Coming from the hospitality industry and having taught for almost a decade, becoming a librarian combined my passion for customer service, hospitality, event planning, and education. They showed me that the library could be a dynamic and inspiring space, and I trusted their insights.
What is an innovative practice at your library/organization you would like to share with others?
Promoting the library and its resources has been a top priority for enhancing customer service in public spaces. Creating a library leadership program to educate student leaders about customer service values and how to advocate for various literacies is foundational to my work. In virtual spaces, I enhanced personalized support for learners, helping them learn critical aspects of interpersonal communication and marketing. These pandemic silver linings remain an integral, innovative practice that guides adaptability in my library service.
If you could have dinner with three authors (living or dead), who would they be and why?
I would love to share a meal with Zora Neale Hurston. I envision learning more about her time and contributions during the Harlem Renaissance. I am intrigued by her profound sense of identity and self-worth. I gravitate to Henry David Thoreau’s direct approach to finding significance and value in the minimalist way of life. We would talk about his thoughts on embracing life’s simplicity and the essence of what life can be while maintaining our civil liberties in such a tumultuous time. Lastly, I would love to break bread with Maya Angelou. Her words empower me to embrace my existence and enlighten me about growing through hardship. Having recently learned about failing forward, it would be an honor to have an open dialogue about her perception of failure and notions on how a honed perspective can reframe the role of failure and our views on success in our stories.
What are you reading right now?
I am in the dissertation-writing phase of my doctoral journey and have read a lot about how personal stories can reveal insights about particular groups of people (autoethnography). Additionally, I am exploring social capital and social network theory and what these frameworks reveal about professional identity, contribution, merit, and sense of self-worth. I’m listening to Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez for leisure.
What is your most memorable Texas Library Association Experience?
My most memorable experience was being part of the 2022 TALL Texans Institute. TALL happened at a crucial point in my career, and my exceptional peers and mentors could not have come into my life at a more opportune time. The group’s collective awareness, vulnerability, and openness embraced and valued every alum. I am honored to have been a part of that magic.
Advice to new librarians?
I would say, “Congratulations! You have embarked on the most fabulous journey in your career. You will want to focus on the collection but resist the urge. Establishing connections is a significant factor in the quality of your service, so I recommend building relationships with your faculty. Building trust takes time, so be patient with yourself and others. Focus on one or two projects you’d like to complete in the year and stop there. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so strategic planning is the name of the game. Lean on your TLA community. It may seem lonely because you are the only one on your campus, but do not forget that we are here to help.
Share your hobbies, hidden talents, and anything people might not know about you.
As a doctoral student, I find balance in playing with dirt as an avid plant enthusiast. I have begun exploring using aroid soil for indoor plants and unique fertilizing techniques for native outdoor plants in deep South Texas. Additionally, I recently completed a series of Texas Executive Education program courses at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business. I uncovered the commonalities among leadership, management, and other business-world characteristics. Librarianship is more business-oriented than I thought—extraordinary!
Please finish this sentence. “I am a TLA member because…”
TLA supports me in continuing to improve my craft. It validates my leadership goals and pursuits with opportunities, leadership development, and a conference that allows me to reconnect with my “why” every spring. It gave me a place to call home when I found myself outside a brick-and-mortar library—a librarian in the wild. TLA placed valuable mentors in my life and ensures I have a place where I belong and where librarians exemplify “better together.”