Daria Bounds was presented with the Joyce Sumbi Emerging Leaders award during the recent Leimert Park Village Book Fair. Born in Chicago, Bounds has lived in LA since she was 7 years old and grew up in the Athens area, graduating from Washington High School
“Yeah, I’m a ‘General‘” Bounds said. “When I worked at Woodcrest [Library] it was like a homecoming.”
Becoming a librarian was Bounds’ second act. Her first career involved managing a daycare in Palmdale for 10 years. She was in her late 40s when she decided to get her master’s degree in library and information science.
“So its never too late to remember what your dream was,” Bounds said. “I was about to become a teacher, when an ad popped up to become a librarian.”
Bounds knew it was the perfect opportunity, she said, “As much as I love reading and knowing a little bit about a lot of things!”
Bounds has been with the county library system since 2009 and currently works as the community library manager at the LA County AC Bilbrew Library in Willowbrook.
“I troubleshoot any and everything that goes on in the library,” Bounds said. “I’m the figurehead of the library and am called upon to go to the schools and speak at different events in the community.”
The Sumbi award Bounds received was presented by the California Librarians Black Caucus. The award is granted to a California librarian who, through his or her practice and example, provides inspiration and leadership in promoting exemplary library services to individuals of all ages and ethnicities.
Joyce Sumbi was a mentor and an inspiration to librarians throughout the state. Hired in 1960 by the County of Los Angeles Public Library, she served in various positions for 32 years. Sumbi was the first African American librarian to serve as regional administrator of 10 cities and 17 branch libraries.
At the AC Bilbrew Library, Bounds manages a staff of 15, plus the various volunteers who work there. She often tries to encourage them and the residents who visit to consider becoming librarians.
“We are very underrepresented in the system,” Bounds said. “It’s just a wonderful career, not just a job. Where else allows you to play with toys and learn the latest technology?”
Bounds is glad she responded to that advertisement years ago and enjoys the variety of her career. She once spent three weeks on Catalina Island as an acting manager for the library there.
She also enjoys planning the AC Bilbrew library programs; attending book fairs; staffing events throughout the county; and sharing the free benefits of owning a library card.
“As long as you have a library card and PIN number, you can access the library online,” she said. “You can watch movies, documentaries, download free music.”
“We have story time, that’s what we’re known for, but we do so much more,” Bounds added. “We have so many programs for adults. You can learn about basic computers, resume building and much more. Even if we don’t have staff who can sit down with you, we can get you started with templates and instructions to make it easier for you.”
Bounds takes pride in all the county library system has to offer.
“We have an adult 101 program to pick up the slack from schools that are no longer teaching basics: how to budget your credit cards; how to do your resume; basic auto care; we have different speakers we bring in,” she said. “My mother asked me ‘do people still go to the library?’ Well, yes!”
