Elonda’s Adventures At Denver Public Library
A Snapshot Of 25 Years With People And Books
By Leslie Williams (with help from Elonda Walker Vaughn), Pauline Robinson Librarian
Note from Leslie: This month, Elonda Walker Vaughn, a beloved staff member, celebrates 26 years with the library. You probably have seen Elonda at several different locations, and she now works in Park Hill. We are fortunate to have her with us. She has accomplished many things, and most importantly built great relationships with community members. Here is her story. Thank you Elonda for your service, and we look forward to more years together!
Elonda Walker Vaughn: I’m originally from Queens, NY, so before I joined the Denver Public Library (DPL) system, I was at the Queens Borough Public Library. I spent nine years in the Young Adult section at Jamaica and then in downtown Flushing — that’s how I picked up a few words of Chinese.
I moved to Denver to be with my sister Cagney and her children in 1993. I started at the Central Library downtown, working in circulation. I didn’t know anything about Denver then. People would ask me, “Where are you from?” and I’d say, “from New York City, Queens Borough.” They’d often ask, “What are the boroughs?!” But then people would tell me, “I’m from the slopes.” And I’d say, “What are the slopes?!”
On Aug. 1, 1994, I took a position in the Western History Department and stayed for seven years. When working there I had felt I was in a class by myself! I worked on the Sandra Dallas collection, the Buffalo Bill Collection, the Pacific Railroad Collection, and the Burnis McCloud photographer collection, which has extraordinary photos of African-American people from Denver. I met people who were writing books, I learned genealogy, and I learned the map collection. I learned a lot about Colorado working there.
My next DPL professional stop was The Friends Foundation. I was there for a brief period, but that was an awesome foundation to work for. I filled in until they hired a secretary. I worked all their events, and volunteered at their annual Booklover’s Ball.
After that, I was transferred to Schlessman Library. I spent about 10 years there. I was a circulation clerk, but I was also the volunteer coordinator. I started with about 20 volunteers, and I grew it to over 40 volunteers, not all at the same time. Some people thought they needed a degree, but you don’t need a degree to help out at DPL. I felt it was really important to accept every individual that wanted to volunteer – people with disabilities, senior citizens, young people – I welcomed all walks of life.
One of my younger volunteers, Kelly, had a developmental disability. She shelved DVDs for us. She learned the alphabet so that she could help out at the library.
I used to throw fun parties for the volunteers, and the community would donate the food. I had a real passion for it – I still do today. One of my volunteers from Schlessman, she started out volunteering, then became a shelver, and now she’s a librarian at the Gonzales Library. Another volunteer became a senior clerk in Books and Borrowing, down at the Central Library. They say happy hands pays off.
I started at the Pauline Robinson Library in 2012 as a circulation clerk. One of my passions is facilitating computer lessons to older adults in the community on how to use technology. Seeing our customers over age 50 wanting to learn the latest technology including laptops, iPhones, eBooks, downloads and Facebook brings me such joy! No matter what’s out there, this important audience wants to learn.
All of my coworkers and I are very close. It’s like home. I feel comfortable here. I’ve been able to build really personal connections with our Pauline Robinson customers. Something about the people, the community and the Pauline Robinson Branch truly motivates me to roll up my sleeves. I love to get people coming back. That’s our passion. We want people coming back.
Though I never personally met our library’s namesake, Ms. Pauline Robinson, it’s like I feel her presence when wonderful things happen here. As soon as our doors open, I hear a little voice saying, “Are you ready?” I’m glad to be part of the DPL team, and I love my little branch, the community and especially our everyday customers. Thank you Pauline Robinson for making your library my favorite place to be five days of the week.
Pauline Robinson Events
Tech Help Appointments | Mondays and Tuesdays, noon-1p.m.
Get technology assistance from one of our in-house experts on your own device or a public computer. Learn the basics, such as email, social networking, word processing and eMedia. Call the library at 720-865-0290 to schedule an appointment.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3-5 year olds and their parents or caregivers.
Computer 101 | Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, noon -1:30 p.m.
Drop in computer class. Limit 10 people.
Free Coffee Chaff Give Away | Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.
Chaff is a byproduct of the coffee roasting process that is a beneficial addition to your soil, compost, or chicken coop. Improve your garden while helping keep this free resource out of the landfill! Bring your own container to fill with coffee chaff from Commonwealth Coffee.
HOPE Communities | Thursday, April 11, 2 p.m.
Hope Communities is a nonprofit that provides affordable rental housing with wrap around support services at multiple properties across Denver. Learn about resources that are available for The Gardens of Hope Communities residents and the entire community.
Ebooks Made Easy | Thursday, April 18, 2 p.m.
Learn how to access library eBooks, audiobooks and video with your library card. Bring your own smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or explore the eBooks website using a library computer.
Smart Container Gardening | Thursday, April 25, 5:30 p.m.
Use Smart Pots® in small spaces like patios, balconies or any size garden where lighter weight containers come in very handy. They’re great for all levels of gardeners.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, April 27, 12 p.m.
This month’s selection: The Black Book by James Patterson
Drop-ins are welcome.
Easy Breezy Wind Chimes | Monday, April 29, 2 p.m.
Design a wind chime perfect for catching a breeze.
Park Hill Branch Events
All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. Craft activity immediately follows the program.
Baby Storytime | Thursdays & Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Play and social time immediately follow the program.
Toddler Storytime | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers.
Equity in Schools: We PHNEEd to Talk | Tuesday, April 2, 11 a.m.
Park Hill Neighbors for Equity in Education (PHNEE) invites you to a discussion of how to use stakeholder power to improve equity in schools. Add your voice to this series of conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
Decrease Your Clutter, Increase Your Peace of Mind | Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m.
If you loved the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo or The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and want to create calm and ease life’s transitions, professional organizer Alison Bresler will guide you through simple things that you can do to avoid being paralyzed in front of a bulging closet.
Strings No Attached Book Chat | Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
Girls
Rock! Film and Discussion | Saturday, April 6, 2:30 p.m.
At Girls Rock!, girls ranging in age from eight to 18 are taught that it’s OK to sweat like a pig, scream like a banshee, wail on their instruments with complete and utter abandon, and that it is 100 percent okay to be exactly who you are. Watch this amazing documentary and learn about your own Girls Rock Denver Camp.
Play and Explore | Monday, April 8, 10 a.m.
Family members and caregivers are a child’s first playmates and teachers. Engage your child in play activities that can help build creativity, coordination, and problem solving, strengthen muscles, increase social skills and encourage early earning. Ideal for ages 12 Months to 5 years – accompanied by an adult.
Outfoxing the Predators: Preventing Fraud and Exploitation | Tuesday, April 9, 4 p.m.
Maro Casparian from the Denver District Attorney’s office will discuss how to protect yourself and spot the 5 Red Flags of Scams and ID theft. You’ll also learn about community projects led by the Denver DA’s Office.
Explore the Complexities of Wood and Beer | Tuesday, April 9, 6:30 p.m.
Today’s talented brewers are innovating, experimenting, and enthusiastically embracing the mystical complexity of flavors and aromas derived from wood. Master brewers Dick Cantwell (Elysian, Magnolia) and Peter Bouckaert (New Belgian, Purpose) reveal in Wood & Beer: A Brewer’s Guide the mysteries that arise when the two come together.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesdays, April 9 & 23, 6 p.m.
Join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan events and projects, talk about your favorite books, music, movies and make your opinion count. Plus snacks. Ideal for ages 13-18.
Kids’ Book Club | Tuesday, April 16, 3:30 p.m.
Book: Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla
Snack: Popsicles! Craft; Chalk art!
Ideal for ages 6 to 9.
What’s so Special about Special Collections? | Wednesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.
The Denver Public Library is the caretaker for 14 special research collections housed at the Central Library and the Blair-Caldwell Branch. Librarians from the Central Library will describe these collections and how you can access them, both online and by visiting us.
Harvesting Your Own Rain Water | Saturday, April 13, 2:30 p.m.
Come learn about how to utilize rain barrels in your garden and landscape. Pre-purchase your Rain Barrel and installation kit at www.ColoradoRainCatcher.com. Start the season off strong at this sustainability event. No purchase needed, all are welcome.
Underground Comedy Club: John “Hippieman” Novosad | Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m.
Laugh with John “Hippieman” Novosad! After 30 years of performing in clubs, theatres and bars across the country, he’s finally made the big time by performing in a library basement in our underground, after-hours comedy club. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 18 and over only due to adult content.
Seed Workshop and Plant Swap | Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.
Come join local seed company Seeds Trust for a discussion about the importance of responsible seed saving/sourcing to combat disappearing biodiversity. Will also include hands on seed starting and wet method seed saving demonstrations.
Douglas Fine Art Prints | Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m.
The Douglas Fine Printing Collection is a book-lover’s dream hidden away in the vast holdings of Denver Public Library’s Western History and Genealogy collection. The collection houses an incredible array of historic letter pressed books, unique artists’ books and much more. Join us to learn about this unique collection.
Understanding Anger | Saturday, April 27, 2:30 p.m.
Anger is almost always a secondary emotion, which masks other underlying thoughts and emotions. Anger is a natural emotion that tends to manifest itself in an unproductive way, if we let it. Learn how to identify your own reactions and utilize techniques to take a step back and react productively in this engaging workshop with facilitators from The Conflict Center.