Mari Suarez, a book and art collector, surrounds herself
in her office with photos and sketches from grandchildren.
Photo by Jerry Lower
Mari Suarez has a corner office with a lovely view of the Intracoastal Waterway, an assortment of new books, a bulletin board speckled with artwork created by her grandchildren and even a stationary bicycle so she can get a little exercise when the spirit moves her. From her desk, she can keep track of all the library’s many activities, from yoga classes to lectures to art exhibits and children’s programs, via TV monitors.
No wonder it’s the library director’s favorite place in the Highland Beach Library, a 11,000-square-foot building opened in 2006.
The library has about 35,000 books, a small army of computers, and a large collection of movies, too. Sunlight streams through the windows into a reading room flanked by screened terraces overlooking the water. There are comfy chairs to read in — so comfortable, in fact, that it wouldn’t be difficult to drift into a pleasant afternoon nap.
“It’s a very pleasant, calm place,” she said.
With all the activities provided, it has become a community center, not just a place to get books.
Suarez, 66, says she got her job by being in the right place at the right time and has been an employee of the town for 13 years. She admits she almost did not apply for the job because she didn’t have a library degree. A friend convinced her that her degree in public administration from FAU would serve her well. It has.
“I was originally hired to automate the library, which was still using a card catalog,” she said.
“After this was achieved, we realized a new library was needed and set our minds on this new goal. I applied for a half-million-dollar grant for the building.” Previously, the town library was housed in 1,200-square-foot quarters in town hall.
Someday, Suarez, who has five grown daughters and 10 grandchildren (eight girls and two boys), would like the building to expand to the north and add a young adult room and a separate room for computers.
She spends a lot of time reading book reviews so she can determine what books to order for the library. Each week, she orders 15 to 20 books.
“The library collection reflects my taste in books,” she says, adding that her taste is esoteric, with books ranging from cooking to genealogy to travel.
In her spare time she listens to classical music, collects art and enjoys her 2,400-book home library.
“Half of them are signed by the author,” Suarez says of her collection.
— Mary Thurwachter
Q. Where did you grow up and go to school?
A. I grew up in Puerto Rico and came to the U.S. [mainland] in 1986.
Q. What are some highlights of your life?
A. Growing up in a close-knit family, being able to be a home mom and be with my children while they grew up. Being involved in creating what the Highland Beach Library is today (a sixth child).
Q. What are your biggest challenges as director of the library?
A. Among them, keeping up with technology, obviously, and our patron needs. Also as demographics change the library changes.
We are not just where you come for books; people come here to fulfill social needs. Our concert programs are certainly challenging, they are a credit to the Friends [of the Library], who present 18 programs a year.
Q. How has the library grown since you arrived here and where do you see it going?
A. After automating the library, we knew a new library building was needed.
I knew what was important to the residents (other than reading) and from the start requested that we have areas where concerts, movies, discussions, lectures, and a whole new amalgam of activities could be available to the residents.
Q. How did you choose to make your home in Boca Raton?
A. We moved here when my ex-husband got a job here.
Q. What is your favorite part about working in Highland Beach?
A. My favorite part about working here is the positive attitude of the residents regarding the library and its growth.
Between the Friends of the Library, our 30 volunteers, and our patrons the library has reached a stage where we maintain and then keep raising the bar of our services. It tests our creativity, which I most enjoy.
Q. What do people not know about you that you wish they would?
A. That my degree is in public administration, not in library science. I am the director of the library, not the head librarian — although I am that, too.
Q. What’s the last book you read?
A. I just read a book for teenagers called 21: The story of Roberto Clemente, by Wilfred Santiago. Clemente was a Puerto Rican baseball player inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1973.
Q. Who or what makes you laugh?
A. My brother, Henry. He’s a banker in Miami who used to be a newspaperman. He has a fantastic sense of humor mixed with irony. He is very creative.
Q. What music do you listen to when you need inspiration? When you want to relax?
A. The music I listen to is not often based on my feelings, but on the weather. When we have a hurricane warning I will listen to Wagner. I mostly listen to classical music. I don’t listen for inspiration.
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