Discover New Waverly Public Library

     My name is Shirley Ramirez, wife to Antonio Ramirez. Mother to Jose Avila, Benito Avila, and Jasmin Avila. Aunt to the many Avila children that attended and graduated from NWISD. I consider myself a woman of many hats. Adding to the many hats is the co-owner of Taqueria El Primo. New Waverly has been my home since 1991, where I attended New Waverly High School until my senior year. My children, nieces, and nephews were involved in various sports and clubs. Throughout their schooling, I volunteered with the PTO and the Booster Club. I started volunteering with NWPL in late 2012 as they all grew older, and have continued volunteering up to the present day. In 2018, I received a nomination for the Board of Directors. Subsequently, in 2022, I was elected to serve as President of the Board.     

      As President, I am responsible for making tough decisions and guiding the board of directors. As with my predecessors, I am responsible for ensuring the efficiency of the board, fostering harmony among its members, and maintaining consistent communication with the Director. 

I believe that a strong board must collaborate effectively, regardless of differences in personalities, strengths, and ethics. It is essential to have a unified vision for implementing changes that align with the library's mission. Additionally, it is crucial for the board to collectively make necessary adjustments to keep up with technological advancements.

     I’m Michael Piper. I’ve been a board member for 18 years here at the New Waverly Public Library—the library's treasurer since 2017. 

I moved here in June of 2002 to marry the love of my life, Darlene, who grew up and graduated from New Waverly High School. We have a son, Seth, who also grew up and graduated from the high school here. 

     I have been a substitute teacher for New Waverly ISD since 2008.  I would love to be able to continue as board member and treasurer of the New Waverly Public Library. We would love your support in continuing to make our library prosper and grow to the fullest.

I was born and raised on several farms in Maryland – a beef farm until partway through 3rd grade, them a dairy farm until part way through 10th grade than another beef farm. The family was in the same county as Silver Spring (part of DC), then moved west to the dairy farm, then west again to the beef farm. Life included animals and 4-H, and showing calves at the county fair.

Upon graduation from high school, I attended a business school for secretarial studies and then attended computer school and worked with large computers (would fill a room compared to desk sized today).

While working in the metropolitan Maryland area I met my first husband – he was in college and went into the Air Force as a pilot. During the next 10 years, I had my son Dewey and lived in Valdosta, GA, Merced, CA, Rapid City, SD, Schertz, TX, and Succasunna, NJ. I went back to school in NJ to update my secretarial skills and worked there. 

After my son graduated from high school, I moved to Waynesboro, PA to be nearer family.

While working there I met my second husband and we ended up in Winston-Salem, NC. There I worked for a private record company as an office manager/executive assistant for 12 years. Then for a private trucking company as executive assistant to the owner and president. 

By now my son was grown and had started working for Continental Airlines that became United and was living in Schertz, Texas. To make his life easier, I relocated to Texas. I worked as a legal secretary for a small firm in The Woodlands, for 12 years, until I retired.

The family, son and daughter-in-law, granddaughter and family moved to New Waverly in 2022. At my daughter-in-laws suggestion, I started volunteering at the library and became a board member in 2023.

I have enjoyed being part of the board as it works to help make the library a part of New Waverly and help to grow and change as needs are presented. To also insure it is a welcoming place for all who come.

My name is Loes Berendschot, I moved from Houston to New Waverly in May 2024. 

It is a big transition from living in a big city to living in a small town, but I believe a blend of both perspectives can be an asset for our library. 

I look forward to helping the New Waverly library transition into a vibrant place for finding books/information and a meeting place for businesses and social events alike.

My name is Lois Davis. I graduated from Willis High School in 1980. With a longstanding passion for aviation, I commenced my career with Continental Airlines, which subsequently became United Airlines. I retired in 2015 and relocated to New Waverly from Houston three years ago.

    I am an active member of several organizations, including the Mayflower Colony. I have been involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for over 15 years, serving on multiple committees during this time. Additionally, I am a member of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).

    In 2024, I joined the NWPL board of directors and became interim Vice President in 2025. Our dedicated board works hard to improve the library.

One significant objective I have for the library is to enhance the Genealogy Department by supplying comprehensive resources for research. Additionally, I aim to further develop the library's offerings for children and the broader community.

My name is Denise Miller, and I have been a member of the New Waverly Public Library board since 2023. I currently serve as the board’s secretary. 

I relocated to New Waverly in 2021 after retiring from Lackland ISD at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. My professional background includes science and business writing, along with 31 years as a classroom science teacher. My personal life includes two sons, Daniel and David Miller; their wives, Lexus and Morgan; and four grandchildren from ages 2 months to 21 years. I am a serial gardener – starting several school garden programs and becoming an avid collector of all things green and growing. 

Having grown up in a military family with frequent relocations, libraries provided an essential local connection. I have loved libraries - from a small room in the corner of a military housing complex to sprawling city library systems. Each one reflected the commitment of local citizens to the enrichment of their community.   When I stepped into the New Waverly Public Library, I recognized it as a place built by people who loved their community. 

In 2023, I was invited to fill an open library board seat. I joined the board and sought re-election in 2024 for several reasons. The local library is the place where anyone can get a library card and check out a physical book or a digital edition for free. It’s a place where volunteers can share their talents, and it gives youth and adults a place to socialize in planned activities. Libraries cultivate curiosity, learning, and community engagement. Our library enables job seekers to utilize online resources, WiFi, and meeting spaces, and it accommodates reservations for public officials, family reunions, and community groups. In short, I firmly believe that institutions like the public library are vital for local life, particularly in small towns. 

Each member of the library board brings specific skills and a significant amount of time towards advancing the library’s mission. My role includes serving as an unofficial grant writer and documentation specialist. It is an honor to work alongside dedicated board members who strive to provide governance and strategic direction for the New Waverly Public Library 

My name is Naomi Parker, and I am a very recent recruit to the New Waverly Public Library board! 

     I’ve built my career in marketing and event planning, and I’m passionate about creating experiences that bring people together. As a parent of young kids, the library is an important part of our lives — it’s a place where we learn, play, and connect with friends and our community. I welcome the opportunity to give back by supporting the library’s mission and helping expand its reach through creative outreach and engagement. And I look forward to connecting with you all as we embark on the library's next chapter, helping it evolve while keeping that small-town spirit alive.  

This position is open! Would you like to fill it? Grab an application from the Front Desk at the Library!

This position is open! Would you like to fill it? Grab an application from the Front Desk at the Library!