Conrrado Saldivar
Conrrado Saldivar, Adult Services Specialist at Natrona County Library, is this year’s recipient of the Wyoming Library Association’s Outstanding Librarian award. This award recognizes the significant and outstanding accomplishments of a library employee in the past year, including service to the public and/or library community. The yearly award is meant to reflect the goals of WLA and the library profession as a whole.
Saldivar has a lot to show for his accomplishments in 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States and Wyoming, Saldivar saw an opportunity for the Library to use their Creation Station equipment to make personal protective equipment (PPE) for Natrona County and Wyoming health care workers. Saldivar took the lead in partnering with the Wyoming Technology Coronavirus Coalition (WTCC) to produce face shields and masks using the library’s 3D printer, Cricut Maker, and sewing machines. In fact, Saldivar single-handedly produced 120 face shield parts that went to several local medical centers in Casper including the Wyoming Medical Center, Central Wyoming Counseling Center, and Child Development Center of Natrona County. Saldivar also organized a medical supplies donation drive at the Library on April 7 to gather personal protective equipment from the community.
Along with his contributions to COVID relief efforts, Saldivar is recognized for his leadership abilities, service to the community, and unwavering kindness. This is not the first time that Saldivar has been noticed for his achievements, either. He received the American Library Association’s 2019/2020 Spectrum Scholarship for his commitment to equity and inclusion. Saldivar was also named a Husky 100 Honoree for 2020 from his graduate school, an honor awarded to students of excellence.
Conrrado began working at the Natrona County Library in April 2015 as an Adult Services Specialist. He received a B.A. in anthropology and Spanish from the University of Wyoming in 2013 and began working on his MLIS at the University of Washington iSchool in 2018. He is currently a contributing writer for the Hack Library School blog and Co-President of the Student Chapter of the American Library Association at the University of Washington.