Meet the Staff | Benbrook Public Library

Erica

Library Director

I am the Library Director. I was hired in September 2014 as a Programming Librarian and was promoted to Assistant Director in October 2020. In March 2022, I was named the Library Director. My main purpose is not only to keep the library running with the budget and administrative responsibilities but also to support the staff as they deliver programs and services to the community. I work with the staff and Board of Trustees in collaboration so that the library is a welcoming place for all Benbrook residents. My favorite part of being the Library Director is working with the community and the look on patrons' faces when they realize how much our library has to offer! As we work towards the process of building a new library, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to building a library that meets the needs of our community.

Library Services

Miranda

Library Services Director

Hello! I have been employed with Benbrook Public Library since February 2001. I recently became the Youth Services Manager. I am responsible for all of the children and teen programming and collection development at the Library. My days are filled with various tasks, including juggling the informational needs of teens and planning fun storytimes for preschoolers. I feel I have the best job in the world! I have a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas. I am always available to answer questions and help you find your way through our library.

Alicia

Adult Services Librarian

Hello! I am an Adult Services Librarian. I began working at Benbrook Public Library in February 2024. Before starting a new career as a librarian, I spent over 14 years as an educator in independent schools. I graduated with my Masters in Education from Long Island University and a BA in Theatre Design from SUNY New Paltz. I am thrilled to start a new chapter here at Benbrook and look forward to serving my community. I love reading, writing, knitting, and baking. I am an avid equestrian and when I’m not at the library you will probably find me at the barn. Besides my horse, I have a Pekingese and a cat whom I adore.

Chelsey

Adult Services Librarian

Hello! I am an Adult Services Librarian. I started working at the Benbrook Library in November 2023. In the past, I’ve worked at the Burleson Public Library, White Settlement Library, and most recently Mansfield Public Library. I have loved working in each library and experiencing friendships through the love of reading. I graduated from UTA in 2014 with a Bachelors of English and History and from UNT in 2017 with a Masters in Library Science. I have 2 cats that I spend most of my time with. I enjoy reading fantasy, young adult, juvenile fiction, classic, romance, and science fiction books. My other interests include kpop, concerts, crocheting, and playing flute.

Austin

Library Assistant

Hello! I am the Youth Services Page. I started here at Benbrook in early January 2021, and since then I've continued to reshelve the children's books, tidy-up the play area, and do anything to make sure your kiddos have as much fun as possible in our library. I developed my love for reading at a young age and it's been sincerely rewarding to help others find that for themselves, especially with the same books I remember enjoying at their age. Currently my passion for books lies in autobiographies, psychology, and anything with a neat book-cover. I also enjoy baking and sharing my creations with others and I like frogs a lot. I love what I do with being able to assist anybody with their library needs, and I welcome any and all questions you may have. Thank you for allowing me to serve y'all!

Krystal C.

Collection Development Librarian

Hi everyone! I was hired as a Library Assistant in March of 2022. I got my bachelor’s degree in Classical Civilizations and minored in English and Studio Art from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. During my summers I volunteered at the North Richland Hills Library and loved it so much that I decided to get my master’s degree. I graduated from the University of North Texas with my Library Science degree in 2014. I worked at Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library in Lancaster, TX as a Library Assistant for almost 5 years where I did a little bit of everything. I enjoy reading just about everything, but some of my favorites are fairy tale retellings, fantasy, historical fiction, and children’s books with great art!

Krystal H.

Cataloging Specialist

Hello! I am the Cataloging Specialist. I started here at Benbrook Library in May 2018 in circulation as a Library Assistant. In October 2020, I made the move to adult services and became the interlibrary loan (ILL) specialist, before making the move to my current position in February 2023. I receive all new books and media for both the adult and youth collections. Once the items are received, I catalog them into our system and get them ready for processing and to be put on the shelf for you to enjoy. You may see me at the information desk, or on the floor with my magic book wand; I’m responsible for annually inventorying the entire library. I love to read and have been around books my entire life, so working at the library was a dream. I live in Benbrook and love the community we serve.

Gisela Ruiz

Marketing Specialist

Hello! I am the Marketing Specialist, hired in March 2024. I am a graduate from Baylor University with a degree in communications and a background in marketing. I am thrilled to be a part of this community through the Benbrook Library and continue to spread awareness of all we have to offer! During my off time I enjoy reading, gardening, long walks with my Basenji pup, Sparty, and finding new coffee shops to kick back!

Circulation

Sheryl

Circulation Director

I am the Circulation Director here at Benbrook Public Library. I manage a staff of seven wonderful people! You might ask yourself, what does the Circulation Department do? We are here to make sure you have the widest variety of books, DVD’s, audiobooks and technology to check out. We check in the items when you turn them in and put them back out on the shelf so other patrons can enjoy them. The Circulation Department is where you can get an ILL, which is a way to get books that can’t be found in our library or any of the MetroShare libraries. Our department is where you will come to get a new library card or to renew your library card after three years. We also process new books and mend books that are in need of repair. So, as you can see, we are quite busy. So please come in to meet our friendly staff! We always have someone there to greet you at the Information desk and help you in any service that you might need!

Jordan

Library Assistant

Hello all! My name is Jordan. I started in April 2021 at the Benbrook Library as a Library Assistant part-time for Circulation, and then moved to full-time in June 2021. In February 2023, I also took on the Interlibrary Loan responsibilities, which means that I get to send and receive materials from all over the USA to fulfill requests for patrons here and at other libraries. I have lived in Fort Worth all my life and have been on a journey working in libraries since 2016 starting at the Fort Worth Library, then migrating over to the Euless Public Library at the end of 2020, and then finally here with the Benbrook Public Library. In 2013, I acquired my Bachelor’s in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing from the University of North Texas. During my spare time, I enjoy reading and video games, playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends, taking dance lessons, practicing 3D animation and 3D printing as a hobby, and spending time with friends, family, and my furry sister. You will often find me at the Circulation Desk with a big smile across my face ready to help, and occasionally partnering with fellow librarian team members of promotional videos!

Kevin

Library Assistant

Jenny

Library Assistant

I have been with the Benbrook Library since October 2020. I started out as an On-Call Library Assistant and then moved up to a part-time Library Assistant. You can find me either at the Information Desk or out amongst the books! I can help you with checking your items out, locating books, or just about any question you may have about our library. This is my ideal place to work, surrounded by books. My other hobbies include crocheting, sewing, gardening, playing with and walking my dogs. Come and lose yourself in a book!

Karin

Library Assistant

Hello and Hola! I am a Library Assistant. I enjoy helping new patrons of all ages and nationalities, especially those who are surprised to see what Benbrook Public Library has for improving their lives. As a teenager volunteering at an Air Force base library to working at several city public libraries as an adult, I enjoy sharing the unique items and programs the Library has for our community. I love words and want to give everyone excellent attention and customer service. I signed up for my first Benbrook Library card in 1987 and have volunteered at Benbrook Public Library prior to my current position.

Tatyana

Library Assistant

Hey there! I'm a Library Assistant who moved to Benbrook, Texas in 2021. Spider-Man, my favorite superhero, constantly inspires me with his heroic tales. When it comes to movies, Twilight holds a special place in my heart as my go-to choice. During my downtime, I thoroughly enjoy reading, playing video games, watching anime, and immersing myself in movies. It's an absolute blessing to work at the Benbrook Public Library alongside an amazing group of individuals.

Joyce L.

Materials Specialist

Hi. I have worked at BNPL as a Library Assistant since June of 2015. Just recently, my job title changed to Materials Specialist. I’m grateful for the change and to be working behind the scenes to restore a large portion of our damaged item. Thank you for the opportunity to continue serving the patrons.

Lori

Materials Specialist

Hi! I am a Materials Specialist. I began as a volunteer with our library in early 2017 and joined the permanent staff in September of that same year. My title was “Library Assistant” until recently. I am still part of the Circulation Department but currently spend most of my time processing the new materials and getting them ready to go out on the shelves. You may also see me in the stacks, searching for items that fill requests that patrons have made or shelving items that have been returned. New patrons will also see me when they get their library card. I have been a resident of Benbrook for over 20 years. Throughout my career I have held a variety of clerical positions - many of them were working with the military. As a book lover, I really enjoy working in the library, and it is exciting serving and being around people who like reading as much as I do!

Operations

Kristen

Library Operations Director

Greetings! I’m Kristen, the Library Operations Director. I oversee business operations, the Makerspace and STEAM programs. I started full time at Benbrook Library in October 2023, but you may know me from past art programs as early as 2019. I have a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and twenty years of experience in non-profit arts management including financial and ticket services roles. I’m also a textile artist who spins yarn, knits, crochets, weaves, prints fabric, and dyes fiber. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and watching all things science fiction and fantasy, tabletop gaming and cooking with my husband and cats. I’m a passionate maker, so I love to discuss techniques and processes to create anything and everything. Have an idea? Let’s explore it together! I’m excited to be part of the library team and serve the Benbrook Community in new and innovative ways!

Joyce M.

Operations Assistant

Hi! I’m the Operations Assistant. I joined the amazing library team in February 2024 after volunteering for one year. With an eclectic work history spanning HR, finance, and customer service, I've developed a versatile skill set. When I'm not immersed in the professional world, you'll find me lost in the pages of a captivating book, tending to my beloved plants, and attending concerts or embarking on exciting travel adventures with my fiancé.

Ted

Makerspace and Facilities Manager

Hello everyone! My name is Ted, and I am the Makerspace Specialist “Extraordinaire.” I joined the library in June 2022. I am one of the newest member of the Benbrook Library's merry band of misfits. (I’m still trying to prove to them that I'm cool enough to work here.) I was brought in to help make all your dreams come true, and my mission in life is to teach you how to make the most out of your library.

Perhaps you’ve always longed for a plastic model of an octopus in a top hat, or maybe you want a sign warning every one of the attack chickens; well, I am here for you. If all you need is a life-size cut-out of yourself so you can prop it at work whenever you want the day off, I’ll show you how I made mine.

Every day I am amazed at the projects and ideas that our patrons come in with, and I love helping them make it all come to life. It’s also fun watching everyone’s eyes light up when they discover what they can create here in our “little library.” I enjoy working here so much; I’ve only had to use my life-size cut-out a couple of times.

Bridgett

Community Coordinator

Hi! I am the Community Coordinator, and I joined this wonderful team in January of 2023. I have always dreamed of working in a library, and I’m so excited to be a part of this group!

As the Community Coordinator, I work on expanding the volunteer program, partnering with the Friends of Benbrook Library, interacting on social media and our website, fundraising, and all kinds of other activities!

I love reading (check out "The Wheel of Time" series), anime (currently obsessed with Black Clover), video games, cats (we have four) and D&D (my favorite D&D class is either Horizon Walker Ranger or any Cleric)!

Andrew

Courier Driver

I'm originally from New Hampshire. I love long bicycle rides and road trips. My favorite dessert is apple pie.