“I want to thank you for the marvelous opportunity for letting me be part of the GOAL Program, and letting me volunteer in the Main Library. It was really amazing! Bill Lockhart and all the crew in the different departments at the Library have been great, very clear in their explanations and very helpful with every single detail.”
Camilo Castillo, Librarian in Training Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“I am currently enrolled at Texas Woman’s University in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Library Science… My participation in this program has allowed me to grow both educationally and professionally. Being a certified TxBess Mentor, I appreciate the fact that I am being mentored by a Librarian. It gives me an opportunity to ask questions that are not answered in my classes. I have also participated in some of the professional opportunities offered by the GOAL Program. These have given me insight into myself and my future profession.”
Sandra L. Romero, College Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“The GOAL program was the best career exploration opportunity I had ever had. This program…reacquainted me with the library procedures …revived my love for libraries and …confirmed my firm belief that I should pursue a degree in Library Science. As a result, I am about to take on the venture of becoming a medical librarian… This experience left me with valuable skills that I now know are a major requirement in the field… I became aware of how technology plays a critical role in library procedures… There is only one bad thing about the program that it came to an end.”
Patricia Mejia, Librarian in Training Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“The Goal Program was indeed a very helpful program to me. Not only did I obtain job experience, but I learned to feel better about myself and my self esteem was boosted up tremendously. I learned to be responsible and independent. I also learned about teamwork and work etiquette. All in all I loved the GOAL Program because in the end it helped me become a better human being.”
Maria Alvarado, Librarian in Training Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“I have been a participant in your program since it began… I am proud to inform you that this school year I have been given a position of librarian at my school… I have accomplished my dream that I have been working on for the past nine years… I am now more anxious than ever to complete my Master’s Degree in Library Science so that I can continue to serve my school, community, and this great city…”
Irma Trevizo, Librarian, Capt. Walter Clark Middle School, SISD, College Program Participant, El Paso, TX. 

“I learned from the GOAL Program that a career in Library Science can be an exciting and fulfilling occupation. The GOAL Program sparked my interest in the field… as it was not a career path I had considered. I’m grateful to have participated in such a program that allowed me to realize my potential as a future librarian.”
Amanda Gomez, Librarian in Training Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“I loved being able to set my own goals with a mentor. I was able to pick a project I was excited about and which also really helped my library. In my case, our director had a room full of books…which no one on staff had time to sort and the employees who had originally stored these books were gone. Guided by my mentor, helpful articles, workshops and others in the field I have been able to evaluate this otherwise unknown collection. As a result the library has made a profit on some… books while others have been selected as a special rare collection providing information on the history of our area to be…enjoyed by patrons.”
Valerie Richard, Librarian in Training Program Participant, Alpine, TX.

“It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I am able to announce that I am well underway in completing… my degree plan for school librarianship… this accomplishment is mainly due to the financial generosity and academic support of the GOAL organization… With my mentor’s guidance I have been able to apply the knowledge I have gained to the specifics of managing my campus library… Many of (my) accomplishments would not have been… possible without the support of my mentors, course studies and your … program.”
Rosalia Alba, Librarian, Red Sands Elementary School, Clint ISD, College Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“I learned a lot about the Library. I did not realize all of the different areas there are in a library. A lot of work goes on to make the library run. This program has made me determined to return to school and get my Masters in Library Science. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity… it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that people should experience.”
Tammie Gage, Librarian in Training Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“What I liked about this program was that it was very, very, helpful and pretty fun… Another thing that I like… was the money I earned. I got to spend it on useful things and materials. To be honest, this whole program was awesome!! There was nothing that I dislike. Everything was very cool. Thank you for everything.”
Jose Ramirez, Librarian in Training Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“My mentor, Ross Teller, really helped me to use critical thinking skills in order to solve problems in the library. He gave me the information I needed then left me to work it out. I appreciated this because I know that I certainly won’t be coddled and babied in the work force…I’m more grateful for the independence that I gained through this experience. I’m certain I will need it in the future.”
Linda Madrid, Librarian in Training Program Participant, El Paso, TX.

“Ever since … I started helping in the school library – I loved it. It was hard at the beginning but little by little I started getting the hang of it. The librarian was very helpful – she explained how to do it, took her time – and checked to see if I was doing it right…I love what I do – and having a mentor like Mrs. Leslie Clingan, I know that I will enjoy just being in the library and watching the little ones enjoy the books. I also want to say thank you for letting me be one of your participants in the GOAL Program. I love what I do.”
Susie Aguilar, Librarian in Training Program Participant, El Paso, TX.