Claremore Daily Progress

Top Stories

Related Photos

September 2, 2006

Library turns the page

Tom Fink

Library visitors interested in learning about Venezuela needn’t look for a book on the subject — they just ask the new head librarian, Fernando Este.

For more than two weeks, Venezuela native Este has served as head librarian at the Will Rogers Library — a position he’s taken to whole-heartedly.

“I’ve loved libraries my entire life, so for me to be a head librarian is truly an honor,” said Este, his accent still reflecting his South American origins. “There are so many opportunities available at libraries — educational opportunities, teaching opportunities — they are amazing sources of information and history.”

Este (pronounced “Estay”) worked for 20 years as a mechanical engineer in the oil and gas industry before earning his masters degree in library information studies from the University of Oklahoma.

“I had worked in the Tulsa City/County Library system for three years, when a friend of mine learned of the (head librarian) job opening here in Claremore,” Este said. “I submitted my application and ‘officially’ took over from (departing head librarian) Carol Willet on the 17th of August.”

Although Este spent much of his first two weeks as head librarian “learning the ropes,” he said he is ready to serve the public and is looking forward to helping library patrons “one person at a time.”

“Public libraries are such invaluable resources for communities — I think with the advent of the Internet, a lot of people have gotten away from using them,” he said. “The Internet is a good tool, which we have access to here, but I’m hoping to work with the public, to educate them on all our resources.

“I’m also wanting to get the public’s input on the kind of programs they’d be interested in seeing here,” he said. “Public libraries are here to serve the public, and they can make a positive difference in people’s lives if they just take advantage of them.”

Este said one reason he feels so passionately about public libraries is that social, class, and other barriers that tend to segregate persons don’t exist within its walls.

“Really, libraries are among the last bastions of democracy, where persons can come, regardless of their income or social status, and expect to be treated equally,” he said. “I look at all of our patrons as royalty, and I plan to treat all of them the same, no matter who they are.”

While Este said he’ll continue to live with his family in Tulsa, he’s looking forward to becoming a familiar face in the Rogers County community.

“I am really, really grateful for this opportunity to serve Claremore,” Este said, “and I’m honored to be a part of this community.”



Comments on this story? Write Tom Fink, maned@swbell.net, or call 341-0220.

Text Only
Top Stories
  • BARGASweb.jpg NAIA WORLD SERIES: RSU upsets No. 1 LSU-Shreveport

    The ninth-seeded Rogers State baseball team choreographed its second straight come-from-behind victory at the Avista-NAIA World Series with a 2-1 upset over top ranked and top seeded LSU-Shreveport on Saturday evening at Harris Field on the campus of Lewis-Clark State.
    The Diamond Cats snapped the Pilots 16-game winning streak and handed them just their fifth loss of the season. It’s the first time in program history the Cats have topped the No.1 team in the country.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • commissioners-02web.jpg Rogers County candidates face off

    Rogers County candidates faced tough questions Thursday during a debate at Rogers State University.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • KidsCamp-iconweb.jpg Send a Kid to Camp fundraiser kicks off

    Forty Rogers County children will have the opportunity to attend the Heart O’Hills Salvation Army Camp in Tahlequah — if generous Progress readers can raise the needed funds.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • SpecOlympic-family01web.jpg Copelands get state Special Olympics honor

    Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer presented the 2012 family of the year award to the Copeland family at the opening ceremonies of the Oklahoma Special Olympic Games May 9 in Stillwater.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • Memorial Day event to mark bridge collapse

    The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says a Memorial Day event will mark the 10-year anniversary of the collapse of the Interstate 40 bridge into the Arkansas River near Webbers Falls.

    May 26, 2012

  • Eagle Academic All-Stater

    Sequoyah High School senior Cadence Wong was named as part of Oklahoma’s Academic All State Class of 2012.

    May 25, 2012

  • TSCRA Rangers deliver reward money to sheriff’s department

    Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton recently received reward money from agents with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, which will soon be distributed to tipsters in a case involving the bow and arrow deaths of several livestock.

    May 25, 2012

  • GRDA is bringing power into the future

    The Claremore Chamber of Commerce hosted Dan Sullivan as the guest speaker during the monthly luncheon Thursday at Rogers State University Centennial Center.

    May 25, 2012

  • FEC postpones Mullin advisory opinion ruling

    The Federal Election Commission requested an extension today to review 2nd District Congressional Candidate Markwayne Mullin’s request for an exception to federal electioneering laws.

     

    May 24, 2012

  • Special session looms as House rejects $6.8B budget

    The Oklahoma House failed Thursday to pass a $6.8 billion general appropriations bill to fund state government, setting up the possibility of lawmakers returning for a special session.

    May 24, 2012