Marin Literacy Advocate Honored

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A Marin library administrator has been honored for her work as a literacy advocate.

Raemona Little Taylor was recognized by the publication Library Journal for her leadership and impact to the library industry as a change agent.

The Marin County Free Library’s deputy director was among just 41 selected among the publication’s 2022 Movers & Shakers class of community builders, county officials said.

Just over 1,000 librarians nationwide have earned such status since the awards were first given in 2002.

“Until libraries and librarians grapple with their history as gatekeepers for white-dominant culture, they will struggle to create welcoming and inclusive workplaces where diverse workers feel like they truly belong,” Little Taylor told the Library Journal.

“It can be a real challenge to work within institutions as the one and only Black, Indigenous and people of color [BIPOC] staff member. We need to move beyond being tolerated to being celebrated.”

The publication credited Little Taylor developing inclusive initiatives that serve people in need and in marginalized populations.

Her signature projects included offering services to incarcerated youth, developing school partnerships, providing direct tutoring services, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Learning Bus, a “green” vehicle that brings literary and education outreach services to children and their families living in rural areas of West Marin.

She also piloted a Reading Buddies program and implemented blueprints for safety around children working with adult volunteers.

Amid the pandemic, Little Taylor moved the Reading Buddies program online and teamed with partners to create 500 new wireless hotspots for school-age children.

She also led efforts to create a licensed day care center for children of health care and essential workers at an MCFL branch.

Little Taylor has been an MCFL employee since 2017 and serves as the public services administrator of the 10 MCFL branches and two mobile vehicles serving patrons in the field.

Previously she was a teen and adult services librarian at the Fairfax branch and then senior librarian and education initiatives coordinator for four branches in West Marin.

After earning her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, she began her professional career as a public records researcher and in several roles with the Nashville Public Library prior to joining MCFL.

“The entire Marin County Free Library team stands with Raemona in our commitment to racial equity in Marin County,” MCFL Director Lana Adlawan said in a statement.

“Raemona works tirelessly to ensure that community and staff voices are heard and that library programs are inclusive for all. She isn’t afraid to dream big and work hard to make new things happen. I am excited to see what she dreams up next!”