856 at the san bruno library

TEAMSTERs: Susan Goetz, wilma lee, Raquel metcalfe

Worksite: San Bruno Library

Years on the job: 38 (collectively)

Getting Started: 

"My mom suggested that I work at the library when I was younger. I made a lot of friends doing that. I ended up getting my Master's in library science at San Jose State University, with a focus on technology. Our jobs are varied—we're assisting patrons, we're proctoring tests for high school and college students, and more." —Wilma Lee

"Previously, I was a community organizer doing research and policy analysis. I got interested in the research side of things and I decided to go back to library school, where I gravitated toward public libraries." —Susan Goetz

"I'll be here 10 years in May. I graduated college with a degree in geography, but wasn't interested in teaching and the library was hiring. I love the job. I love the customer aspect of it. I like interacting with people and helping them with whatever issues they may have. I use my Spanish a lot—I started the bilingual story time here 10 years ago." —Raquel Metcalfe

Daily life at the library: "I love it. We're serving and building the community—all age groups from toddlers to seniors. We have hands-on programs, arts and crafts, home delivery. Our programs build cross-generational connections between people so that a community is forged here. Early literacy is hugely important to us. We're also bridging the digital divide by making sure we provide access to technology to members of the community who might not have it otherwise." —Susan Goetz

On being Teamsters:  "I like being a leader as a steward. I'm not necessarily the first person to stand up, but someone needs to advocate for the group. Some people don't know that they have the right to have a union in the workplace. I believe that everyone should be treated the same, and being a Teamster affords us that right." —Wilma Lee