Denise cheerfully rounded a corner in Bayland Community Center as she ushered a resident carrying two boxes in his hand to the library. As the man dropped the boxes on the table, she smiled ear to ear, thumbing through the stacks of books he had just donated.  

“I was going to finish reading, but now I’ve got work to do!” Denise said.  

Denise’s love for books has remained with her since she was young. She vividly remembers an English professor who issued her class a challenge for one of their assigned readings: identify what was in the protagonist’s bed at the end of the novel, and they’d receive guaranteed perfect scores on all quizzes.  

Taking careful notes, Denise decoded the mystery and aced the challenge. The moment cemented her lifelong passion for reading.  

Decades later, Denise channels that same love for literature into her work as the volunteer librarian at Bayland Community Center. She has lived in the nearby Braeburn Valley community for over 40 years.  

“I’m a voracious reader—I’ll read anything,” she said. From novels to encyclopedias, Denise doesn’t discriminate when it comes to the written word. 

Her journey to Bayland began after retiring from a 40-year career in healthcare, a profession that demanded discipline and deep study. Retirement left her searching for purpose. 

 “I delivered meals on wheels for two years...and in the past I tried shelving and cataloguing books at Bellaire library and the West University library,” she admitted, “But I gave that up when I started coming to Bayland more frequently.”  

Between weight training classes, bingo games, and sewing groups, the center became her haven — and her library — for the past 15 years. 

When Denise first entered the Bayland library, she was delighted by the challenge of organizing the books.  

“I said to myself, ‘I don’t think I need to ask permission; I’ll just do it,’” Denise remembered.  

One book at a time, she began alphabetizing the fiction section, then cataloging the nonfiction titles by subject. What emerged was an inviting, functional library stocked with everything from cookbooks to children’s stories. 

Now, the library serves as both a resource and a community touchstone, where people come for recommendations or simply to chat. Denise’s enthusiasm is infectious. 

“I’ll go up to a stranger and ask if I can help. What are you interested in? Maybe I can direct you to something,” she said.  

She spoke with pride of entire sections dedicated to authors like James Patterson and Nicholas Sparks and lit up when recounting how donations of home libraries have expanded Bayland’s offerings. 

Unlike traditional libraries, Bayland’s has no due dates or late fees. Borrowers are free to linger over a book for as long as they need—a feature Denise treasures most. “Reading is the foundation of education, especially for children,” she said. “We help get people over the fear of picking up a book, especially if they don’t think they can take one because they are afraid something is going to happen to it. They can keep it as long as they need!”  

As Thanksgiving approaches, Denise reflects on her role at Bayland and the sense of belonging it provides.  

“I’m a single person with no grandchildren. My family is gone. Bayland gives me a sense of purpose,” she shares. “It’s another community, like my church, where I can foster relationships and feel a part of something.Denise’s message for the season is simple: “Come to Bayland. Talk to the staff. Try something new. It takes courage to walk through the door the first time, but you won’t feel like a stranger for long.”