Northfield Public Library staff Natalie Draper and Angelica Linder recognized as Movers & Shakers by Library Journal

Northfield is celebrating a unique distinction this year. Two members of its public library staff, Director Natalie Draper and Outreach Manager Angelica Linder, have been selected by Library Journal as "Movers & Shakers." Library Journal defines these individuals as "the people shaping the future of libraries," and recognizes just 50 each year. The honor highlights the difference that Draper, Linder, and their colleagues at Northfield Public Library are making in their community, through innovative library services and intentional outreach.

According to Draper, having two people from the same small library system receive the award is a "neat occurrence." Such a comment might seem like faint praise for a major honor. But tooting her own horn isn't in Draper's job description, nor her demeanor. She saves her highest praise for Linder. "The fire she brings to her work have been transformative for this library," Draper exults.

Their nominations were separate, but their work is connected, focusing on building trust and ensuring the library reflects and serves the entirety of Northfield's diverse and growing community. Draper was honored among this year's "Change Agents," while Linder is categorized as one of the "Community Builders."

Natalie Draper: Championing representation and access

Natalie Draper's recognition as a Mover & Shaker stems in part from making her personal belief a reality. Namely, that a library best serves its community when its staff reflects that community. Draper has overseen a marked increase of Spanish-speaking staff members at NPL, including increasing full-time bilingual positions and creating career pathways at the library for community members. It's a smart move in Rice County (where Northfield is situated), home to one of Minnesota's fastest-growing Spanish-speaking populations. In addition to Linder, current full-time bilingual staff include Francisco Murillo Ponciano and Emily Torres, who also serves as a passport agent and notary.

NPL's partnership with Northfield Community College Collaborative (NCCC) to offer paid summer internships is another important endeavor championed by Draper. Recognizing the need for library workers with diverse backgrounds, the partnership offers positions that pay $23 per hour and include mentoring and other supports, such as daycare stipends that are crucial to the participation of community members who are also parents. The goal is to shift perceptions of library work and create a viable career pipeline for those from the communities the library serves.

Beyond staffing, Draper, who also leads Northfield's Arts and Culture Commission, has made a concerted effort to commission public art by artists representative of Northfield's diversity. That led her to highlight Lori Greene, whose mosaic mural is the first public artwork in Northfield by a woman of color, and Rocky Casillas Aguirre, a local Latino whose mural is featured in the library's youth services area, and on library cards.

Draper also oversaw the development of a dedicated Teen Space within the library, recognizing the previous lack of a designated area for teens, following a renovation. Working closely with Youth Services Librarian Cat Stricklan, Draper focused on outreach to schools and organizations like the Northfield Union of Youth, which operates The Key, "a space where youth can find ownership and agency, connect with friends and staff members, and get access to food and other resources." By doing so, NPL met teens where they are, and involved them, in particular via the library's Teen Advisory board, in shaping the space. 

The library also launched and expanded its Library of Things, thanks to Draper's leadership. Beginning with mobile maker space kits during the pandemic, the list of unique items patrons can borrow has grown to include sewing machines, cameras, and a telescope, which were checked out over 900 times last year. The library's bookmobile service, focused on Dundas and elder care facilities, extends the library's reach further, to underserved populations.

Angelica Linder: Building trust and meeting community needs

Angelica Linder's passion for outreach has made an enormous impact at Northfield Public Library. In fact, prior to being named a Mover & Shaker, her work was recognized by Carleton College when it gave her its Campus Compact Presidents’ Community Partner Award. The award cited NPL's service to the Spanish-speaking community through homework help, digital literacy classes (with Carleton students), a photography project honoring local Latino families, and an expanding annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration that has been much supported by the library.

Linder approaches community engagement with an emphasis on building trust, in recognition of the vulnerability of many would-be library patrons. She understands that not everyone shares the same experience. "My experience is not their experience," she says. "I know that. But I want to build relationships and trust with people so I can be a fighter for them, and a fighter for what is right." As Linder builds relationships, she identifies community needs and collaborates with her colleagues and other organizations, to meet them. The library cannot fill out forms for patrons, but they can print them, find interpreters and attorneys, and partner with organizations like Rice County Neighbors United, to fill in the gaps.

Linder has been instrumental in growing Northfield's Hispanic Heritage Celebration into a year-long slate of programs connecting the people of Northfield across cultural differences. She has brought numerous workshops and services to the community, including Spanish-language entrepreneurial workshops, visits from the Mexican consulate, Spanish-language Driver's education workshops, and partnerships with organizations like COPAL MN, focusing on workplace, educational, and citizenship resources.

Linder has become Draper's point person at the recently opened Library Oasis satellite location. The appropriately named Oasis is several miles from NPL's primary, downtown location. It's on Northfield's south side (near the high school, middle school, an elementary school, and several large housing developments) and serves patrons also accessing services from co-located organizations like the Community Action Center, Head Start, and Fifty North (a senior center). The Oasis sees steady use, with access to computers particularly important to visitors. Youth Services Librarian Emily Lloyd offers story time at the the Oasis twice per month. With support from Linder and her colleagues, the Oasis is achieving its goal to reach community members who might not otherwise visit the main library.

Linder is quick to credit her colleagues for their support, stating she is "lucky enough to be surrounded by great people." But she is determined in her work and deserves the accolades she's receiving. "If it's important for a person, I won't take a no," she says. Her commitment is evident in the variety of programs she champions, from bilingual yoga and dance programs to practical workshops on starting a business and memoir writing, all offered free of charge. She sums up her work in simple terms. "Life is hard, you have to have fun. Grow personally, grow professionally, have events for kids." 

In Northfield, Minnesota, thanks to Draper, Linder, and their colleagues, that's possible. For everyone.

More from Library Journal

Read articles about Natalie Draper and Angelica Linder, as well as the entire cohort of Library Journal Movers & Shakers, including University of Minnesota Duluth Librarian Kayleen Jones, on the Library Journal website.