Librarians work all over the world, from big cities and suburbs to the furthest reaches of the planet. Case in point: Edgardo Civallero is a librarian stationed in the Galápagos, an archipelago off the coast of Ecuador known for influencing Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Civallero is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), a scientific organization dedicated to preserving the islands’ biodiversity. The foundation’s research station features a library and archive that Civallero is tasked with coordinating. He recently spoke with I Love Libraries about the joys, challenges, and surprises of working in such a unique library setting.

What does your job with the Charles Darwin Foundation entail?

The Charles Darwin Research Station is where an international team of scientists and conservationists work, researching the unique species that populate the island—like the giant tortoise, the marine iguana, or the flightless cormorant. Therefore, the library I coordinate is aimed at providing them all the material they need, which turns the library into a specialized one. However, being the biggest, oldest, and practically the only library in Galápagos, it also serves the local community.

I also coordinate the archive, where the entire social and scientific memory of CDF (and a part of Galápagos’ history) is preserved. And right now, I’m creating a new space: a museum, in order to display and take care of a handful of archaeological and historical pieces related to Galápagos’ past.

Even if I am the only professional librarian in the islands, I am the head of a small, amazing team of staff who are learning the profession by putting it into practice.

Galápagos is a very special place in many ways. Besides being a sort of paradise in the middle of the eastern Pacific Ocean and a living laboratory for evolution, it is also a very isolated place, despite being a tourist destination with heavy visits all year long. Internet service is weak, there are no cultural activities or bookshops, and movements are strongly limited to a very small land surface. Since the Galápagos are a National Park, a Biosphere Reserve, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the islands are quite protected, and a lot of “normal” activities are not allowed there.

Isolation makes life a bit hard for the permanent population of the islands. Food and most other supplies arrive from the continent by boat, which means that sometimes there are shortages in the archipelago and prices are really high. Water supply is also a problem, creating a number of health issues. Massive tourism is another topic that should be discussed, but nobody seems to be willing to tackle it. As with many other things in our world, every light has its shadow, and Galápagos is no exception.

How did you come to work in such a unique setting?

I applied to an international call for librarians to fill the position. Since I studied oceanography and biology before becoming a librarian, and I speak several languages fluently, I considered I had a chance. And I did: I was selected among 60 candidates from all over the world. Of course, I had to move to Galápagos and start a new life in the islands—which was probably the biggest challenge of all.

What do you like most about your job?

The environment, of course. I work yards away from the sea, and the marine iguanas usually walk in front of the library’s door. I can hear the waves (and the Darwin’s finches) from my desk. Of course, half of the year we have what we call garua weather: cloudy, cold, and with a never-ending drizzle wetting everything. But that’s also lovely, at least for me.

Also, I love being in charge of the biggest and oldest library in my territory. That is absolutely challenging, especially considering that I don’t have a lot of resources and I have to use all my knowledge to improvise solutions. Taking care of the archive and the future museum is wonderful, too, because I have in my hands the social and scientific memory of this place.

Is there anything that has surprised you about working as a librarian in the Galápagos?

Almost everything I found here since I arrived surprised me. I came to Galápagos with no expectations, and I found so many things along the way that amazed me. But to choose one thing, I’d go for the tameness of local fauna. I had read about it before travelling, but witnessing it here, in the field, is absolutely surprising. Giant tortoises, sea lions, finches, iguanas, lizards, sea birds, and even the butterflies seem not to fear the human presence: they live their lives just two yards away from my eyes. That closeness to the local natural world is something that I hadn’t experienced anywhere else.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I invite all my colleagues in the library profession to consider supporting the work I do here. Right now I’m developing an outreach project to bring libraries to all the inhabited islands by means of a mobile library service. One island, Floreana, has never had a library (our mobile library is the first one to arrive there), and others haven’t had a library for at least a decade.

Also, I’m trying to expand the collection of the library in order to provide better services to the local community, since the current collection is mainly focused on science and scientific endeavors. Finally, we’re putting a lot of effort into preservation and conservation tasks. Local weather and the proximity of sea is our number one enemy in a building that was never intended to be a library or archive. Dealing with humidity and sunlight is an absolute nightmare, and a lot of material is needed. Those interested in supporting the CDF’s Library & Archive can contact me for further information.

Subscribe to the I Love Libraries newsletter for more amazing stories about libraries and librarians. Photos courtesy of Edgardo Civallero.

September is in full swing, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this back-to-school season is brand new territory: many students are staying home and learning online, while others are spending part of the week on campuses that have transformed to meet safety guidelines. School libraries may not be the busy hubs of activity they are in typical years, but librarians are still working hard to support the learning process while maintaining social distancing.

A recent survey from the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) revealed that school librarians have been getting the word out about online library materials, teaching remote classes, and helping educators and families master digital meeting platforms like Zoom. Many are also hosting virtual library activities like storytimes, book clubs, and makerspaces.

School librarians have also found creative ways to safely distribute physical books to students, from curbside pick-up to classroom book carts. Texas’s Brushy Creek Elementary School, for example, is distributing five books each to all 800 of their students through curbside pick-up.

“We’re really trying to focus on giving them books that were their level, that will increase their reading speed and accuracy, and just for the parents to have something to really work on while the kids are at home,” librarian Laurie Kent told KXAN.

Staff at Virginia’s Shenandoah County Public Schools have teamed up to host an open-air pop-up library for students. Kids can place books on hold online, then stop by in-person to pick up and return the items they’ve reserved.

“Our kids are watching us, and how we handle this pandemic, and support one another sets the example for how they will handle other challenges in their lives,” Strasburg Mayor Brandy Boies told Northern Virginia Daily. “I am proud that Strasburg is setting a great example for the community through this partnership.”

Also in Virginia, the Montgomery County Public School district has gotten particularly creative to distribute books over the summer: they partnered with drone delivery service Wing to drop books off at students’ homes. Students could request a book online or ask librarian Kelly Passek to pick out a recommendation; Passek would then package the book and bring it to Wing to be flown to its recipients.

“We wanted to provide the resources that are needed for the students and we also wanted to provide free-choice options because that’s how our students become even stronger students,” Passek told New York Times. “Any way that we can get students to read is a win for us.”

How has your school library transformed during the pandemic? Email ilovelibraries@ala.org to let us know.

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Has a librarian made a difference in your life? Now is your chance to say thank you: nominations for the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award are open through November 9.

Each year, the I Love My Librarian Award recognizes 10 outstanding librarians with a $5000 prize and the honor of a lifetime. Leaders from the American Library Association (ALA) select the winners from thousands of nominations from library users—and your librarian could be next.

The I Love My Librarian selection committee is looking for stories of librarians whose passion, creativity, and expertise have made an impact during these unprecedented times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, librarians have been working harder than ever to serve their communities while maintaining social distancing: they’ve hosted video storytimes and virtual programs, expanded access to Wi-Fi in their areas, helped seniors avoid isolation and stay connected, and provided hunger relief amid rising food insecurity across the country.

I Love My Librarian awardees receive national media attention, shining a well-deserved spotlight on their amazing library. Winners will also be honored at a virtual award ceremony during ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in January 2021 and receive complimentary conference registration as part of their prize package.

Nominating someone takes only a few minutes and can change your librarian’s life forever. Visit the I Love My Librarian Award website to submit a nomination today.

Wondering how to make your nomination stand out? Check out these tips for making the best possible case for your librarian.

Librarians have teamed up with Netflix to provide resources connected to the new series Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices.

Bookmarks is a collection of 12 episodes featuring different Black celebrities—including Tiffany Haddish, Common, and Jill Scott—reading children’s books from Black authors. The videos are designed to showcase the Black experience and spark broader conversations about identity, respect, justice, and action.

Featured titles include Coretta Scott King (CSK) Book Award winner Firebird (written by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers), as well as CSK honorees Sulwe (written by Lupita Nyong’o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison) and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James).

To supplement the series, librarians from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association have put together a list of engaging activities for young readers, and members of the Association for Library Service to Children have shared links to resources about how families can connect with children’s library professionals to support their kids’ learning and development. These materials are all available on the Bookmarks website.

You can view the series on Netflix or watch for free on the Netflix Jr. YouTube page. For more book recommendations, check out ALSC’s social justice reading list for families.