BY KARYL ANN ARMBRUSTER
LWVLA

Our next Lunch with a Leader will be March 20, at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall on Sage from noon until 1pm. Our leader will be Gwen Kalavaza who has been a dedicated member of the Los Alamos Public Library staff since 2001, serving in various roles such as Branch Manager, Digital Services Manager, and, since 2022, as Library Manager. In her current role, she oversees both the Mesa Public Library and the White Rock Branch Library, leading a team that includes eight senior librarians and librarians. 

Born and raised in Andover, Maine, Gwen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Clark University. After moving to New Mexico, she worked at Fogelson Library at the College of Santa Fe while pursuing her Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Arizona, which she completed in 2000. She has since built a career focused on enhancing library services and community engagement.

Gwen is passionate about reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family. Her leadership has contributed to the development of innovative programs and services at the library, including digital collections, non-traditional item checkouts (like telescopes and cooking equipment), and diverse youth and adult programming.