Episode 8: Adriana Camacho-Church, Bear Library Specialist

Central to any discussion about community and building opportunity is our public library system. “Palaces for the people” was Andrew Carnegie’s phrase when he was building over 2,500 libraries across the country in the early part of the 20th century.

And so, in this episode, it is a pleasure to talk with one of the state’s librarians. Adriana Camacho-Church is a library specialist in the Bear Library. In her work, she spends time with the area’s immigrant community, helping them navigate resources and take advantage of the library’s many programs.  Adriana herself found the library when she moved to Delaware, and it became a home to her – a place to feel welcome.

“I know what it’s like not to know the culture, not to know the system. You feel lost, you feel vulnerable, and you feel like you don’t belong. Especially if you don’t feel welcome. 

“I think that’s what the libraries do. They help people feel welcome. We try to, we try to do that. We want them to know that this is a safe place where they can come and learn a language or find information that will give them hope, that will help them find direction.

“I’ve been there so I know and my whole family has been there because we came from Columbia.”

Palaces for the people. Building opportunity.  Check it out.