Member Spotlight - Daniela Martinez

September 29, 2025

This week's ILA member spotlight shines on Daniela Martinez. Daniela is the director of the Maywood Public Library District, and she is a member of the ILA Reporter Advisory Committee and the Reaching Forward North Committee.

We asked Daniela to answer a few professional and amusing questions. Continue reading to find out more about Daniela. 

A little background on Daniela

My name is Daniela Martinez, and I am the director of the Maywood Public Library District. I graduated from Dominican University with a BA in Sociology and Criminology in 2019 and with my MLIS with a concentration in Youth Services in 2021.

My library career started as a volunteer, to then working in each department in our library. I was eager to kick-start teen engagement like Anime Club, Magic/Dueling/Pokemon matches, and manga reading. This eventually led to planning programs for all groups and ages.

How did you get your start in libraries?

I've always known I would be in a public serving organization, and when I needed to complete some volunteer hours for high school, I started at my local library. From there, I fell in love with advocacy and social services libraries have and worked diligently to be a part of it. The children's librarians at the time liked my enthusiasm so much, they hired me once I finished my volunteer hours.

Best Advice you've received since starting your career in libraries?

Treating people kindly goes a long way. You'd be surprised at how people remember the small things you did; make a copy, find a book, search for that one place that starts with an "insert random letter here." In that same breath, please remember that there is only so much you can do. 

Networking through conferences, via Zoom, or even through emails is important. 

Any advice to newcomers working in libraries?

It's okay to ask for help! Library professionals are eager to respond! There will be a point in your career where someone will be asking the same questions, and you will be able to help them.

Secondly, a library is one of the few places you get to see everyone at any point in their lives at once.

When and why did you become a member of ILA?

I became a member of ILA 2021 because I became head of youth services in that year.

How has being a member of ILA helped you professionally?

ILA has allowed me to expand my network through the committees, conferences, and resources available. 

What is your proudest professional moment to date?

Outside of becoming the first Hispanic Executive Library Director at the same library I volunteered at, I am really proud of bringing el Consulado Mexicano Sobre Ruedas to our library. Many people in our community would have to travel far to obtain official documents from the Mexican Consulate, and there were only a few places that had space for them. The first year they came to our library, we had over 1,200 visits for that week!

Hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook, or all?

I love all, but hardcover books take the lead. They can handle tough love in my bag.

Favorite authors?

Such a difficult question! When you are surrounded by books, you tend to read just a little in each genre. Currently, I'm really enjoying anything by Abby Jimenez.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what five books would you want with you to pass the time until being rescued?

Please don't judge me like Pam judged Katie (Jim's girlfriend) in The Office! The books will be, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, anything Abby Jimenez, and some books about how to survive when you're stuck on a desert island.  

Cat or Dog?

Definitely dog! No hate to cats, though.

Favorite film, podcast, or television show? 

Currently, I am enjoying the podcast Moral of the Story, hosted by Stephanie Soo.

One person you would like to meet, dead or alive why?

It would be either my great aunt on my father's side or my uncle on my mother's side, who both died earlier in my parents’ lives. Now, if the question was, "Who would you like to speak to, past or future?", I would speak to my grandmother to ask her many questions about her youth.

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