05/06/2026
Wheeler T. Abbett Sr. Library is lucky to have on-board, Ella Gomez, a long-standing Librarian for over 44 years.
She started with Pima County as a Homework Help Tutor for 10 years and continued as Joel Valdez Children's Librarian for another 10 years before retiring and bringing her wealth of experience as a Substitute Librarian here.
Read more of her storied career path (article following), originally published for members of Friends of Pima Library, which includes her continued dedication to her community as a Friends of the Public Library Volunteer.
News & Updates
From Friends, For Friends
Many Thanks! Friends staff & volunteers working together to raise money for the library system.
Meet Volunteer, Ella Gomez!
by Julie Doll
Ella Gomez, left, and Edie Thewke are part of the Wednesday morning team. The two have been volunteering together at Friends for nearly two decades. They price non-fiction books, and Ella also works as a reader at the monthly book sales.
If, as a kid, you did your homework at the Library of Congress, it’s not surprising that you would develop a lifelong love of libraries – and an appreciation for what they do.
Born in Washington, D.C., Ella Gomez has been a Friends volunteer since 1972.
She and her husband, Oscar Gomez, a retired middle-school assistant principal, have a son, T.J., and a daughter, Amy. Friends' volunteers and members might run into Oscar (although we hope not literally) on sales days, when he helps direct traffic and parking.
We asked Ella to take a few minutes to chat with us about Friends, her life, and how the two connect.
Tell us about your career, and the jobs you’ve had.
I have had two careers. The first was as a clinical dietitian for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and also at a local public hospital. Second, I worked 25 years as a school librarian/teacher/principal designee for a huge public school district. In total I was the librarian for 10,000 students. In addition I have worked for Pima County Public library for 28 years in a variety of roles. I came from a family in which everyone had two ways to earn a living since several of the members had lived through the Great Depression.
What were some of the highlights growing up in Washington, D.C.?
I often did my homework at the Library of Congress. I have fond memories of roller-skating to the library only to come out surrounded by snow. I was also very familiar with all the monuments and memorials. My family made rubber stamps for the federal government. Consequently, I knew where the agencies were located throughout the area. My older brother worked for National Geographic, so I became his researcher at the Library of Congress.
You also attended a presidential inauguration, right?
I attended President Eisenhower's inauguration in 1953 and again in 1957. I remember seeing the president and first lady in all their finery. The bands and horses made a huge impression on me. As an Army officer years later, I assisted in the care of President Eisenhower and other dignitaries at Walter Reed Medical Center.
You were in the Army and worked with wounded soldiers returning from Vietnam. Was that the hardest job you have had?
In the Army I calculated the special diets for service personnel and their dependents. A planeload of wounded came in every night from Vietnam. The hours were very long and extremely busy. The hardest part was seeing the serious wounds day after day.
How did you end up in Tucson?
I married a wonderful man from Tucson who insisted on living in Southern Arizona. By the way, I outranked him in the Army, and according to him, nothing has changed.
What do you like best about volunteering at Friends of the Pima County Library?
The best part of volunteering at the Friends is the chance to raise the literacy rate in Pima County. We have an opportunity to impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. I know the value of education and feel blessed to use my knowledge to strengthen our community.
What kind of books do you read?
I like non-fiction books, particularly biographies, history and business books. I came from a family of accountants, so of course I adore numbers and spreadsheets. My daughter teaches human resources, and my son is a golf pro, so I always look for the newest books in those areas
