Meet the Staff: Abraham Valadez

The mission of the Caldwell Public Library is to "provide services and information to connect, enrich, and inspire our community." Library staff strive to provide the best possible experience for our users - both in-person and online. We understand the importance of building trust with our users and helping them find the resources they need. Over the next several months, we will highlight each of our staff members and the work they do to provide excellent library services to you - our users.

Hello, my name is Abraham; my friends call me Abe for short, but I have also been known to go by Alfredo, Alexander, Jose, Armando, Ben, Guillermo, Jesus, Juan Carlos, Miguel, Joaquin, the guy, the computer guy, or “your IT guy” - It just depends on the day. I will respond to all of them and own it for the day. I think it’s funny.

More about me… I am the abnormally good-looking Latino that you see wandering around the library. I have been working for the Caldwell Public Library since 2014 and have really enjoyed the adventure. Coming in for my interview was the first time I had stepped foot in a public library. The position I fill is called the Technology Services Librarian. I never realized how much effort libraries put into researching and developing resources for their communities. I do my best to help serve and support them do it.

I was hired to design and implement a computer network that would best accommodate the library’s growing population of patrons. Today, I support and maintain the end user (public) workstations in the front, servers in the back, and WiFi. I also make sure the network that helps the systems talk to each other are all working.

You will see me walking around to computers and the new Makerspace. I work on the 3D printers from time to time either printing stuff for patrons that submit their designs or walking someone through downloading files and printing. The library also allows me to help at the Information Desk so our brilliant librarians can get a lunch break.

I will occasionally help support staff with the amazing programs they put on for kids and adults - you may see me around town in the new Mobile Makerspace! I did go to school for computers - I think colleges have changed the name of the program I graduated from but back then it was called Information Systems Analysis & Technology Integration, or was it Infrastructure? I can’t remember. I guess I could look at my diploma, if I can figure out where I put it.

My hero and I have 6 amazing children. I was born and raised in Nampa, went to college in Lewiston, Idaho, where I met my wife, Debbie. She has been my “Why” ever since.