New East Elementary library paraprofessional working on creating a welcoming, comforting environment for students
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
When Jennifer Candelaria was a little girl, one of her favorite things about school was the library. She loved wandering around the bookshelves, looking for a good book, listening to the librarian read to the kids, and seeing all of the books displayed on top of the shelves.
Now, in her new position as the East Elementary library paraprofessional, she has a chance to create such a comforting space for a Breckenridge’s youngest school kids. Candelaria has already reorganized some of the shelves in the library, making them more accessible to the students, and now she’s planning some redecorating.
“So my goal is to show that they can be safe here, that they can come in here and say, ‘Oh, I want to go to the library because it feels safe,'” she said. “I want them to know that we are here for them and that we are making new progress. I want them to feel like they can read here and be comfortable here, and that when they go home, they can say, ‘Oh, look what I got at the library!'”
Candelaria said she wants the parents and kids to see that she and Breckenridge Independent School District Library Director Abby Moore are developing the library for the new generation of kids and that the library will not be forgotten.
The library is full of books, ranging from picture books for the youngest East students to chapter books for the more advanced readers. There are books and series that many parents will remember from their childhood, such as the Amelia Bedelia, Babysitters Club, Captain Awesome and Magic Treehouse series. There are fiction and non-fiction books; books about superheroes and sports; books about colors and animals; books about science and math; books about fairy tales.
The East library doesn’t have levels, Candelaria said. The students can choose any book that they want to read. First and second graders can check out books to take home with them. Pre-k and kindergartners can check out books to take to their classrooms.
Candelaria, who is originally from the Dallas area, moved to Breckenridge about a year ago. She has an 8-month-old son and says she adores children. She’s looking forward to the new school year and creating a library atmosphere for everyone at East.
Cutline, top photo: Jennifer Candelaria, the new East Elementary library paraprofessional, is in the process of doing some redecorating. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Editor’s Note: This article was edited on Aug. 13, 2025, to correct the title of the library position, as well as to remove some information that is no longer relevant, according to BISD.
