The next time you visit the Eagle Rock Library, be sure to say hi to branch manager Jaime Duval. Jaime has been a huge fan of libraries since she was a kid. “I still remember having to practice writing my full name just so I could get my first library card at age 4. My mom took us to the public library every week to restock and I spent my school days volunteering in the library,” she said. But Jaime never thought about getting a job in a library or a degree in library science until after her son was born.
When her son was little, Jaime would take him to story times and other events at the Radford Public Library. “One day, I saw an advertisement that they were hiring for a part-time shelving position. I desperately wanted some adult interaction so I applied and, to my surprise, got the job!” This eventually led to a full-time position, and Jaime’s boss helped her get into graduate school. Jaime earned her Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas in 2014. She spent two years running the Children’s Department at Radford Public Library before moving to Botetourt County.
Jaime has been branch manager at the Eagle Rock Library since November 2016. As a library branch manager, Jaime wears many hats. “One minute I could be crawling on the floor trying to figure out where the leaking water is coming from; a few minutes later I could be crawling on the floor during story time with glitter all over the place; and then later on I could be at a meeting with community leaders trying to address issues that the library could help with.”
There are a few things that Jaime has implemented at the Eagle Rock Library that help make that branch unique, including the Appalachian book collection, color-coded Beginning Reader Collection, and unique programs and contests. Eagle Rock is the only branch of the Botetourt County Libraries to have a Garden Area and Seed Library. Jaime has recently launched the Eagle Rock Sprout Program, in which kids can come learn about agriculture and take part in using the Seed Library to grow vegetables and other plants that the library will use for programming and for the annual plant sale each spring. During October, Jaime will debut her new Barefoot Stories class. It will be on Monday afternoons from 2:30-3:30 p.m. and will incorporate yoga into the story time lessons.
Jaime is originally from Queens, New York, but her family moved to Virginia Beach when she was in the third grade. After high school, Jaime went to college and worked in Radford before moving to Botetourt County. Jaime now lives in Daleville with her son, Parker. In her spare time, she loves to hike and be on the water, either tubing or kayaking. She enjoys traveling and attending festivals and outdoor music concerts. When she’s not out and about, you can find Jaime cuddled up with a book, binge watching the next best TV show, or working on a craft project.
Audrey Clark
