City of Porterville

September 2014 Employee of the Month

Vikki Cervantes

Library - Parks & Leisure Services

Vikki Cervantes began working for the City of Porterville as a part-time Library Assistant in 1995 and became a full-time employee in 2000.  She received her BA in Social Science from Chapman University in 2004 and her Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University in 2009.  Vikki became Porterville City Librarian in August 2007 and has been in library services for 19 years.

It didn’t take Vikki long to bring many fresh new ideas and programs into the Library.  Under Vikki’s leadership the Library has been awarded California State Library Grants for Online Homework Help and Family Place Library.  Vikki has worked hard to establish a team that is adaptable to handling the diverse needs of the community, and most notably delivering the friendly service expected by the patrons.  Vikki continues to work on the transformation of traditional library services. She has created an Early Learning Center, focused on collection maintenance, reorganized library space at the Margaret J. Slattery Library, and enhanced the visibility of library services through community participation.

Vikki currently serves as the Chair of the San Joaquin Valley Library System.  She is also on the Board of Directors for the Family Crisis Center and the Time Marches On Committee.

Vikki has a three-year-old daughter, Kimoriana.  Her hobbies include reading, cooking, traveling, and home improvement projects.  Vikki’s most rewarding hobby is assisting young people with their future educational goals and careers.