This spring, Angela Ocaña was named director of Eugene Public Library, after years of success in a number of postitions here since 2017, as well as leadership roles in the profession nationally. Get to know her with this interview shared from Eugene Public Library Foundation's newsletter.

You served as the library's director in a temporary capacity for the past year- how does it feel different now to take the "official" reins? What's changed moving from acting director to permanent?
When Joshua Bates;, the Library, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department Executive Director, told me I was the successful candidate, it felt like a heavy weight settled on my shoulders. I didn't realize how much freedom there was in a temporary capacity or how much I was holding back on my future vision because we were waiting for a new director. It was a slow, creeping dread and sense of panic. I have struggled my whole career with imposter syndrome; there are a lot of things stacked against you, being a queer, brown woman in a leadership role where society tells you that you aren't good enough. I had to unpack that in taking on this role and reaffirm that I applied for this job because I know libraries make a difference in people's lives, that our library makes a difference. I wanted to set a direction that would allow us to make an even more significant impact. The weight is still heavy, but that is because I know our potential. I try to remember the words of a brilliant woman who first told me that, sometimes, you have to go slow to go fast, and that gives me a sense of peace about it.

What other roles have you had at the library? How long? What was your very first paid job?
My first job was in a library! I shelved books in high school and stayed with that library until I left for Eugene. Over the two decades since, I have done a little bit of everything. I was a circulation clerk; I became our first grant coordinator, managing hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding; I worked in youth services, adult services, and eventually our branches. I helped organize award-winning events that drew thousands of people to our library, balanced with programs with just a few kids who needed that program at that moment. I created a teen pride program that drew protestors to our door and fought for youth rights, eventually garnering the Young Adult Librarian of the Year award. I've played Mario Kart, had ice cream explode in the name of science, blew out every fuse in my library, built resumes for ESL learners, given babies high fives, rocked out senior centers, built teen centers, cried, laughed, and everything in between.

You've talked about doing the difficult work of being a library director because you want the library to feel like a magical place for kids, like it felt for you. Is there anything that still feels magical to you as an adult about the library? What are you excited about?
I will never forget when one of my mentors said that adults are people, too; they deserve to have beautiful things. It was about summer reading, where kids got to do all the cool stuff, but it carries over to how we should treat adults in our spaces. I get so excited when I walk by the second-floor record listening station. It reminds me of walking into those stores where you could listen to music with a push of a button, and it would play for you, and you could see if you were into it. I love the puzzles on all the tables, and this may seem very dorky and very librarian of me, but I love a full display of books. Knowing that someone lovingly thought up the topic, made a sign for it, and is sharing it with the world! Well, I should say that I love seeing an empty book display because that means so many people found something here that interested them!

What's something that you're passionate about fostering or developing now that you're the boss?
I believe in mentoring. I wouldn't get to where I am without the support of these fantastic, passionate, fierce women who helped shape my career. It is up to us as leaders to help foster the next generation of library workers and to take folks under our wings. So, a library-wide mentoring program is on my list. I am also really jazzed about the next levy and the fourth floor. I love seeing where our creative energies can go when thinking about things that will have such long-lasting impacts, and I am fortunate to be able to help guide that work.

Eugene Public Library was ranked in the top 3% of public libraries for cost effective delivery of services in 2022 by the Library Journal, but the massive budget cuts last year obviously had a big effect on staffing and programming. What's your message to patrons and librarians during this uncertain time?
I have learned much more than I ever thought possible as a librarian about tax structures. Especially tax structures in Oregon, as I have seen many libraries in our state struggle to ensure library funding. That being said, we hope to have the most negligible financial impact on our community and still allow staff to succeed at their jobs, which means more books, programs, and access. We have super creative people who have been trying to find ways to re-think how we operate to find efficiencies. It is a lot of change for our organization, and that can be hard, but we all are aware of the impact we make on people's lives and are all onboard trying to find a way to be successful in the midst of uncertain times.

What's your most recent item checked out of the Library of Things?
I wish I could say one of the 'fancy' items like the metal detector or the Go Pro Camera, but it is a small card game called The Fox in the Forest. It is a trick-taking game that would feel similar if you have played Bridge or Spades. I am a board game nerd; sometimes, the Library of Things selection team lets me suggest games, which they may do to humor me. I get so excited seeing the back room where they store everything, and I am constantly in awe of this small and mighty team that brings our community so much joy.

What's your favorite order at the new Bougie Cafe?
It has to be the bagels. Which is weird because they make everything in their own kitchen except the bagels! But I just really love them. Having worked at a coffee shop for over a decade, my coffee order stays mostly the same: coffee, heavy cream if I can, and so muchhoney you would think I was a bumble bee.