Farewell to Teen Librarian Vicky Chen

Long-serving Teen Librarian Vicky Chen has left her role at the Rockridge Branch Library. She has been promoted to branch manager at the Montclair Library.

Chen served as teen librarian for seven years in Rockridge and has been with the Oakland Public Library system for 16 years. She previously held teen librarian roles at the Asian and Eastmont Branches. Rockridge's teen patrons threw a spirited farewell party for Chen at the branch just before school break. Parents and teens said they are sad to see Chen go. "She's been an advocate for them," one mom said. "She's always sided with the kids who come in here." Chen estimates that about 3,000 teen patrons are served at the Rockridge Branch each year. She has strived to offer them a comfortable place where they can be themselves. "I feel so honored to be a part of their lives and to watch them grow up," Chen said. The library's teen program offers a safe place for students to socialize, study, learn something new, or just have fun after school. Chen says she has also enjoyed offering teens book suggestions. "It's amazing; they like books!" No announcement has yet been made regarding Chen's replacement. She offers Rockridge's next teen librarian the following advice: "Enjoy yourself. They'll give you a lot of inspiration."