Bruny joined the volunteer ranks of Dayton Metro Library in February 2023, building on previous volunteer experience with Project Read, Dayton Children’s Hospital, and Miami Valley Hospital. Born in Puerto Rico with a father who served in the Air Force, Bruny remained in the Dayton area because Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was her father’s last station. After years of working in accounts receivable, she switched careers to study and work in mental health services, helping vulnerable populations of older adults with dementia in a rehab facility as well as in a group home. Volunteering at the Library has allowed Bruny to experience the fun of working with younger ages through the Reading Buddies program at the Huber Heights and Vandalia Branches, and as a program helper for Seth, the Huber Heights Children Services Librarian, with their successful Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead program.
Bruny takes her role as a Reading Buddy to the next level! While not required, she keeps an Excel spreadsheet of the books that have been used in each session. She carefully notes what books, characters, or stories are a success. If the Branch does not have a certain book that a child is interested in, she introduces the family to the staff at the Ask Me Desk and helps put in the request. Bruny enjoys the stories and impressive illustrations in picturebooks as much as the children! She has met many families and children from around the world and occasionally dusts off her Spanish-speaking skills with a parent.
Like so many others, Bruny remarks that there is so much that the Library offers that she didn’t know about before she started volunteering, such as Pantry Partners and all the events and programs.
For her personal reading list, she prefers nonfiction such as cookbooks, health-related topics, classics, and mythology. Outside the Library, Bruny enjoys baking and is an avid gardener with mostly flowers but a few vegetables as well. She would have more vegetables if it weren’t for those greedy squirrels! She has also seen red foxes, deer, opossums, skunks, raccoons, and all sorts of other wildlife. She also shares her home with three cats and is married with one son who recently graduated from Wright State University.
What keeps Bruny coming back as a volunteer? With 170 hours of service which includes working at The Foodbank’s Pantry Partner and as a greeter for the Huber Heights Branch grand opening, she feels a strong connection to her community, the patrons, and the staff. “Everyone here is so nice. They always make me feel so appreciated,” she said.
Thank you for your service, Bruny!
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