Meet Neel Welandagoda: Library Specialist at Main Library
“I live by the saying: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion renew humanity. This saying prepares my mind and heart for the work day ahead when patrons will need me. It is my job to help patrons find whatever it may be that they’re looking for on that particular day.”
After a quarter-century at Boulder Public Library, where Neel handles everything from circulation and reference to computer assistance and call center outreach, he still feels the deep connection that brought him here in the first place.
“The Boulder Library holds a huge place in my heart. It was my second family when I came to the U.S. in the late 90’s as I did not have my own family here when I first arrived. I was immediately welcomed. The library gave me a job and the library staff gave me a family from which to start building my new life.”
What keeps Neel coming back? Simple: the community.
“My degree is in literature, and I was a social worker and a teacher in Sri Lanka – interacting with people is one of my favorite things to do. I love to hear our patrons say with a smile – See you again soon! – as they leave the library. That’s when I know we’ve helped them with whatever it was they needed from us that day.”
Neel has witnessed firsthand how the library transforms lives, from providing a place for people to gather together and learn from each other to connecting patrons with resources that answer questions “about pretty much everything that exists in a life – from birth to death, local and world history, travel, food, health and medicine, entertainment, ethnic and political issues. You name it, people have questions about it, and the library has information and resources to help them seek answers. People trust us to help them find what they are seeking,” Neel reflects.
The Boulder Library Foundation makes moments like these possible – helping fund the programs and resources patrons love and supporting staff like Neel who make the library feel like family.
Library is a verb. Help us keep it that way. Support Library Giving Day with a gift today.
What is Library Giving Day?
Launched in 2019, Library Giving Day is a national movement designed to support public libraries. Library Giving Day 2026 is on April 1. You can help us support innovation, capital improvements, and expanded literacy and outreach for Boulder’s libraries with a Library Giving Day gift today!
