Literacy Partner

In 2013, when Diana Lopez came to Marin City Library (MCL), situated in Marin County’s most diverse and economically challenged community, it had the fewest hours of any branch in the Marin County Free Library (MCFL) and was an untapped community resource. Lopez changed all that, enhancing basic services, providing opportunities for local teens to develop their technology skills, and offering specialized support for grade schoolers. In 2015, MCL became the first branch in the 87-year history of the system to be open seven days a week. And under Lopez’s leadership, staff are as diverse as the community they serve, helping patrons to see themselves in the library.

“I love our community,” Lopez says. “But there are a lot of equity gaps. My branch works hard to close those gaps—especially when it comes to serving our youth.”

Now, as both branch manager and education initiatives coordinator of MCFL, she oversees operations of the Bayside Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy library. New staff have been added at the K–eight school, including a library technician, and hours have grown from 15 per week to more than 30. In 2017, MCFL revamped the school library by aggressively weeding, matching school library funds, and using MCFL’s branch discretionary fund. A grant provided money for an early literacy station and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) materials and equipment. One of Lopez’s many partnerships is with the Marin Housing Authority to establish the Book Rich Environment (BRE) Initiative, which puts hundreds of free books into the homes of Marin City’s children, “which we know is key to promoting literacy,” Lopez says.

Sara Jones, MCFL’s director of county library services, puts it simply: “Diana is a passionate, tireless, and authentic advocate for the children and members of the community who are marginalized and disadvantaged.”