The Team Behind the Curtain

Felipe Avila (Photo – Connect – Altadena Libraries).

The morning starts early for the man behind the curtain. He wakes at dawn, enjoys a cup of coffee and the morning air before starting his day.

By Ryan Roy

The commute from Baldwin Park to Altadena is roughly forty minutes, and that gives him time to think about the many tasks ahead. A lot needs to happen before the Altadena Libraries open each morning. And he’s the man that makes sure those things get done.

Away from the library, Felipe Avila is many things. Father of four. Grandfather of two. Outdoorsman. Handyman. A connoisseur of life’s small pleasures, and no stranger to a good laugh.

Inside the library, he’s all of those things and more. If you ask Felipe what he does for the library, he will tell you “whatever needs to be done.” And that’s the bottom line. If it’s setting up for a program or renovating an entire area — demolishing office cabinetry, building furniture, moving equipment, painting walls — whatever — he’s the guy making it happen. But he’s quick to point out: it’s not just him.

Altadena Public Library (Photo – Facebook, Altadena Library District).

Felipe’s brother and wingman, Gerardo Avila, along with gardener extraordinaire Ricardo Loza, make up the core team. Their contributions to the library are incalculable. But Felipe won’t let the credit stop there. He’ll name you every staff member who has ever helped move furniture for a Second Saturday event or hook up equipment for a presentation. In fact, this article was supposed to be titled, “The Man behind the Curtain” but Felipe set me straight.

You have to change your title. It’s not just me. It’s my team, it’s the staff, it’s everybody. We all work together to make it happen.

Perhaps that’s what makes Felipe one of the most trusted and well-liked employees in the building. He’s modest. Humble. He does what needs to be done and keeps a low profile. Because it’s not about the limelight for him, it’s all about the results. It’s about making the Altadena Library an important, magical, life-changing place for all of the community. And when the doors open each morning and the show begins anew, he’ll be right where he always is — getting things done, with his team at his side —just behind the curtain.

Ryan Roy is the Public Services Director of The Altadena Libraries. This article first appeared on Altadena Libraries’ CONNECT Newsletter.