15 Years of Library Magic | 15 años de magia bibliotecaria
Explore the story of remarkable former library employee, Ludy Rueda.
Over 25 years ago while studying abroad in Montana, Ludy Rueda stepped into a U.S. public library for the first time.
Originally from Mexico City, Ludy was encouraged by a friend to visit the public library, “I was an English learner when I came to Montana State University and a friend of mine from Ecuador was one of the few other Latinos studying with me. She said there is something special about public libraries in the U.S.”
Walking through the doors, Ludy was immediately drawn to a storytime. “The librarian was so vivid and passionate in interacting with the kids. I went directly to the children’s section and sat at the very end of the room watching the kids respond. I was fascinated and so proud I was able to understand everything.”
After storytime, Ludy signed up for a library card and continued coming back. “It was a place where I felt welcome and started developing a sense of belonging even though I didn’t see any Spanish. I became a regular patron and a big fan of storytime. It was all about the magic of what was happening in the room.”
Poudre Libraries was fortunate to have Ludy spend the last 15 years bringing this same magic to the Northern Colorado community as a library employee.
Before making magic at Poudre Libraries, she finished studying in Montana and returned to Mexico where she pursued a degree in Education, Accounting and International Business..
Her time in Montana ignited a passion for the outdoors and Ludy set her sights on summiting the third highest volcano in North America, Pico de Orizaba. She also worked as a financial director at the school where her mother taught and began developing a children’s library and provided her version of storytime.
Considering the direction of her career, she drew inspiration from her parents. Her mother worked as a teacher and her father was a civil engineer who built bridges and water access for rural areas. “When I think about my childhood and my mom teaching and my dad creating these bridges and roads, it just makes sense that I landed at the perfect job inspired by my parents at the library.”
One of her first stops when she moved to Fort Collins with her husband and two children was the public library. “It was a Spanish-speaking staff member who welcomed me to Harmony Library. I saw the collection in Spanish and the children’s librarians in action, they had instruments and were planning these amazing storytimes.”
The Spanish representation in our buildings was the first of any public library she had visited. She and her two children became regulars at storytimes, and Ludy later became a volunteer, producing bilingual storytimes for the community.
Two years later, Irene Romsa, the first manager of our Outreach Department (dedicated to bringing the Library to underserved communities) created a position for Ludy. The two of them led a program called Rincón de Cuentos (Story Corners) where puppets, books, singing, and dancing were all combined into a bilingual children’s program. This program set an example for libraries across the state. “We were one of the few libraries with an Outreach Department and bilingual staff,” Ludy stated reminiscing.
Irene and Ludy traveled across the state to help other libraries build programs of their own. “Outreach gets to assess needs in the community and develop programs to meet those needs…you have the power to transform lives.”
Ludy had a full-circle moment later in her career when she was reading the published, bilingual children’s book The Little Skunk who was Afraid to Stink written by a sophomore student who was a former Rincón de Cuentos volunteer at a storytime.
These full-circle moments are apparent everywhere after over a decade of service, “Communities that aren’t traditionally library users are now empowered to join us. We have developed this intimate connection to them, developed friendships, and even been invited to quinceañeras and baptisms…it humbles me to be a part of that.”
On a Rincón de Cuentos road trip over a decade ago, Ludy loaded up her personal car with puppets, the stage, her two children, and everything she needed to share the program with Alamosa County Library. On the drive, Ludy and Irene started dreaming about an Outreach vehicle. This dream became a reality earlier this year with the launch of Colorado’s first all-electric mobile library vehicle, Evie.
“The fact that we can bring full library services to underserved communities, mountain communities, and older adult facilities is just a game changer. In the past, we were able to bring some services but never materials and now we bring books, Wi-Fi, computers, and library cards. It’s so cool to see the kids with their big smiles. It’s priceless.”
Evie has been on the road for just under a year and has circulated 1000’s of collection items to communities that don’t traditionally access library locations. Evie’s colorful look has roots in another program Ludy worked on for over a decade called IMAGINANTES, which was started by Irene Romsa.
The program sought to fill the gaps for summer camps available to teens in underserved communities.
The first year of the program ended with an artistic celebration featuring artist Rafael López who collaborated with IMAGINANTES participants on a community mural in the Mason Avenue Parking Garage. This mural inspired the vibrant wrap of our mobile library.
“[IMAGINANTES] was a safe place where kids had that belonging. The first year we had kids of different nationalities. A boy from Jamaica, one kid from Egypt, and a lot of Latinx kids who all enjoyed relating to each other and sharing their background and culture.”
Among the 2,000+ programs Ludy organized over the last 15 years, one of her own favorites is Noches en Familia. Most recently, it has been created in collaboration with the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. These large gatherings invite the community to celebrate Latinx/Latine culture and traditions.
Partnering with the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery on Noches en Familia and many other events has helped to attract audiences from across the District service area. Ludy has also fostered partnerships with other local organizations including Fuerza Latina, Poudre School District, and many more.
After 15 years of public service, Ludy has done so much to expand on the representation she saw when she first stepped into Harmony Library.
Speaking on the programs that include international guests she said, “It’s so cool to see the community see themselves and be inspired by role models that are not usually around them. When you tell them ‘he is from Guadalajara’ and the kids are like, ‘my grandma is from Guadalajara!’…They see themselves reflected.”
From programs for Día de Muertos to Noches en Familia to getting Evie on the road to countless special events with Title 1 schools, Ludy has accomplished an immense amount of community building.
The heartbeat of a Library is its staff. Ludy Rueda has been an invaluable part of this heartbeat. “When I think back about my journey as an immigrant both public libraries and the outdoors have transformed me.”
Ludy recently transitioned into a position working for the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas to explore her other great passion – the outdoors. “I’m finishing this chapter with a happy heart. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, and I will continue to be an advocate for the libraries. My love for libraries won’t ever change, it just grows along with my admiration for the people that work at the library.”
Ludy’s favorite children’s book is The Last Stop at Market Street by Matt de la Peña. She also found The Color Purple by Alice Walker a transformative read and generally leans towards books written in Spanish by Latinx authors. Most recently, she’s been reading Is Everyone Really Equal? by Özlem Sensoy and Robin DiAngelo.
We are so incredibly grateful for everything she has done for Poudre Libraries and our community.
If you have stories or memories of spending time with Ludy, please comment on this post or email us at li********@po************.org.
