Meet the Staff

The staff at the Hayden Public Library is dedicated to ensuring that our patrons’ experiences at the library are great ones! Please contact us at any time with questions or concerns.

Library shelves filled with colorful children's books.

Woman smiling beside potted pumpkins and flowers.

Ana Lash, Library Director

Ana Lash was born in Nevada, but is really an Arizona “native.” She moved to Colorado for this Library Director job! Having never seen or walked in snow, it was a life-changing decision. She began working in a public library in Casa Grande, Arizona part-time and graduated from Central Arizona College, Arizona State University with a degree in Liberal Arts/English, and a post baccalaureate degree in Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University after her kids got older. She was fortunate to be offered a chance to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona in a newly created program called “Knowledge River” which was designed to help librarians who worked with minorities (which in Hayden, Arizona, she did!). She moved to Hayden, Colorado in September 2004. She says, “it has been wonderful living and learning about this beautiful town and state.” Libraries and reading have always been her passion.

Smiling woman in blue with a necklace, outdoors with green and yellow foliage.

Emily, Librarian Assistant

Emily is a Minnesota native. Her love for snow (especially snowboarding!) has taken her on many escapades throughout the mountainous regions. From California to Canada, to Italy and France and beyond, she has explored adventures of all kinds. However, Hayden is where she found her home! She has a unique talent and knowledge for recognizing all things vintage. Her ability to recognize the beauty and value in people, animals and nature. Her natural curiosity makes her a fun addition to our local community.

Smiling woman standing in snowy backyard.

Lyn Howe, Library Clerk

Hi! My name is Lyn and have lived in the Hayden area for quite some time. I love mountains, trees, the ocean and just about every animal under the sun, especially goats! The Hayden Public Library is packed full of wonderful books and people, please stop by for a visit!

Person in a black shirt and beanie standing near trees with sunlight.

Grace Velasquez, Teen
Helper

Grace is a native Coloradan, who attends Goal Academy and is a Senior this year. Her hobbies include sewing costumes, drawing, knitting and crocheting. She also enjoys making pinback button pins. She likes studying bugs, bats and bees.

A smiling young woman outdoors with sunlight and green foliage.

Valeria Gutierrez, Library Clerk

Born in Steamboat Springs, and graduated from HHS in 2022, Valeria has been a library patron since she was a very little girl. She also works as a paraprofessional at the Hayden Elementary School. ("Go Tigers!") She enjoys working with children. Her favorite fast food is Taco Bell. She also plays the ukulele and pickleball. Her sense of humor is "chef's Kiss!".

Smiling woman standing outdoors with green trees in the background.

Lisa-Marie Baker, Library Clerk

I am a New Orleans native, but could not wait to call Colorado my home. Six months after graduating from LSU, I moved to Steamboat Springs and never looked back. In 2016, my family and I moved to Hayden, and we felt right away that this is where we belonged. One of the first things I told when we moved here was, "You're going to love the Hayden Library." And it is so true! I love to read, especially J. R. R. Tolkien, and am so excited to be working among the books and people who brighten our world. Come talk to me about your favorite books, SEC football, or hidden hiking trails that you love.