2009 Eureka! Leadership Institute: Martha Camacho

My name is Martha Camacho, and I have worked for the Pasadena Public Library for one year, still a newbie, and will be for years to come, in comparison to the 20 plus years my colleagues have worked for this outstanding organization. In my current role as Librarian II, Research & Government Information Services, I manage our research services, the Pasadena local history collection, Municipal Information Services (Pasadena Library's personalized research service to City staff), and seven professional librarians. This position seems like it was made for me as my passion lies with performing research, networking with colleagues and other organizations, contributing to the success of the community, and preserving local history while making it accessible to a variety of people.

Before my time in Pasadena, I was a high school librarian in Burbank for four years. My experience as a high school librarian is indescribable. I became a Jill-of-all-trades, preparing me for a variety of future possibilities. My favorite aspect was working with students and creating long-lasting mentoring relationships with them.

In my free time, I continue to do one-one-one tutoring with students, and I like to take time to travel, whether it is a day-long road trip just to escape from Los Angeles or a trip to Colombia to visit my husband's family. I also take dance lessons (Salsa anyone?), as well as tennis lessons, and will read anything by Jane Austen and her read-a-likes as often as possible!

When I first heard of the Eureka! Leadership Institute, I knew I wanted to apply. The Institute is a unique opportunity to recognize and improve my leadership skills, network and collaborate with peers, and submerge myself in an intensive, focused training program, an opportunity I would never be able to afford with the time and demands at my home library. I am looking forward to returning to my library with enthusiasm, a plan, some unique tools, and the support, from other Institute participants, my mentor, and my library, to see a project through from which I know the Pasadena community would benefit.