Amanda Carrasco: Bosque Farms librarian, mother & crafter
Before COVID-19, Bosque Farms Public Library Director Amanda Carrasco could be found helping patrons hunt down the latest thrillers on the shelves.
Amanda Carrasco has been the library director for the Bosque Farms Public Library since 2012. She calls the village of Los Lunas home, and was born and raised in Roswell.
She is the mother to Madalyne, and daughter of Eva and Joe, who recently passed away. Other family members include her sister, Tammy; brother-in-law, Jon; nieces, Miranda and Alexis; nephew, Joshua; aunt, Judy; and uncle, Louie.
Q What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
A “I am simply amazed by God’s creation.”
Q What’s a myth about your profession you’d like to bust?
A “That library directors and staff members read books all day.”
Q What were you like in high school?
A “In high school I was athletic, musical and involved in a lot of activities. I was a cheerleader, basketball player and track runner. I sang in a choir, was involved in student council — I was the treasurer — and I was in Spanish Club.”
Carrasco loves to craft. She dabbles in crochet, jewelry making, scrapbooking and wood.
Q What is the best advice you’ve ever received and from whom?
A “My mom said, ‘Guard your heart above all things. True wisdom is found in God and in His Word alone.’”
Q What did you want to be when you grew up?
A “A school teacher and a mechanic. Doesn’t every child have more than one? I wanted to be a mechanic because my dad was one, and he drag raced, so I liked being around cars. But my dad didn’t want me to be a ‘grease monkey,’ as he put it.”
Q Who inspires you?
A “My inspiration comes from my sister. She is always there for me. We are six years apart and she amazes me with her courage, strength and faith. No matter what comes her way, she is always there for her family. She takes good care of my mother and I am grateful to her for that.”
Q If you could work any other job for one day, what would it be and why?
A “I would like to be a forensics investigator. The whole process is fascinating to me; to be able to solve a crime or be a part of finding a criminal.”
Bosque Farms Library Director Amanda Carrasco is pictured at 4 months old, with her parents Joe and Eva.
Q What do you do in your free time?
A “I love to craft! Crochet, jewelry making, scrapbooking and recently, crafting in wood. It is exciting to make things. With my extra yarn, I make baby beanies for neonatal intensive care unit babies at Presbyterian Hospital.”
Q What is something about you that most people don’t know?
A “I play the piano and sing.”
Q What three books would you take on a deserted Island?
A “The Holy Bible, ‘How to Survive on a Deserted Island (Survival Guides)’ and a fun one, ‘Charlie Brown and Friends: The Peanut Collection.’”
Q You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
A “I was raised to do the right thing, and I would turn it in.”
Since 2012, Amanda Carrasco, above, has been the library director at the Bosque Farms Public Library.
Q Who is your best friend and why?
A “I believe that God sends you the people you need to make you the person you need to be. My best friend is Master Sergeant G. Gurule. He has helped me through some tough times. He has been my genuine, caring friend, comedian and helper in my time of distress. During this pandemic, he makes sure that my daughter and I are OK.”
Q What is your favorite song to sing when you’re alone?
A “Danny Gokey and Evan Craft’s ‘Ama A Dios Y A Tu Vecino (Love God, Love People).’”
Q Where is your happy place and why?
A “My home is my happy place. That is where my creativity is poured out, throughout my home.”
Q Have you had a life changing experience that led you to where you are today?
A “Yes, I’ve had a lot of hard times in my life, but the most life changing experience is having my daughter. She has been my light. I do all and everything for her. I try my best to be a good example as a Christian, woman and a mother. Now, the bad times aren’t so bad because I have her.
Q What teacher had the greatest impact on you?
A “My high school Spanish teacher, Mrs. Fresquez. She was an excellent teacher, and I speak Spanish because of her great teaching ability to reach out to her students.”
Amanda Carrasco wanted to be a school teacher and a mechanic when she grew up.
Q What is your favorite movie scene and why?
A “My favorite movie is ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ I love the music and the humor!”
Q If you could have dinner with one famous person — dead or alive — who would it be and why?
A “I would like to have dinner with (actor) Cole Hauser, and take as many selfies with him as I could before dinner was over. LOL. He is dreamy.”
Q What are you most proud of?
A “The library I currently work at. It has evolved with my leadership, creativity and experience.”
Q How would you like to be remembered?
A “I love to laugh and be around people who make me laugh.
“I would like to be remembered like the Bible verse 1 Thessalonians 1:3 states, ‘Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God our Father.’”
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 18, 2024
