He travelled the world, became a Buddhist and a vegan, and ended up as the Library Director at City College where he describes himself as the “Evangelist for the Library”.

A variety of changes have been made and rewarded in the Luria Library on West Campus since Director Kenley Neufeld took his position in 2006, but he’s not stepping on the breaks anytime soon.

“People come in to the library asking for the Library Director and then look around for an old lady with gray hair and glasses,” said Librarian Elizabeth Bowman. Neufeld is neither.

On Feb. 26, Neufeld won the Leadership and Learning Resources Award by the Association of College and Research Libraries.

“It’s the top national award a Community College Librarian could get,” Neufeld said.

Neufeld was hired as the Technology Director at the library in 2005, and was promoted only one year later.

One of his main goals was to make the library more inviting to students.

“I tried to guide the library into a new direction and make it more inviting for students,” Neufeld said.

“I opened a café, brought all the computers together and took down the signs that said ‘No!’ and ‘Don’t!'” Neufeld said.

Neufeld didn’t move to California until the age of seven. Born in Nigeria, Africa, he grew up as a Mennonite, like his Canadian parents.

“Mennonites are a strict religious group, kind of like the Amish,” Neufeld said. “I’m actually the first generation not marrying another Mennonite.”

Neufeld received his bachelor’s degree in History from University of California, San Diego and a master’s degree in library science from San Jose State University.

Paintings with colorful motifs cover his office walls and standing on his desk are several pictures from his worldwide travelling.

“My travelling sure has influenced my world viewpoint,” Neufeld said.

While on his 20s, Neufeld read a book on Buddha’s ethical guidelines of living, and decided to take the lessons to heart, and embrace the Buddhist way of life.

“I found people that believe in what I believe in, and want to live life the way I want to live it,” he said.

In 2005 he went on a journey to Vietnam together with his Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh.

The same year, Neufeld went through a Buddhist ceremony and took vows written by his Zen Master so that he is now a Mentor in his religious order, mentoring people that that are considering Buddhism.

He also holds a meditation session every Thursday at 11:30a.m. in his library office.

“Religion helps me be a better manager,” Neufeld said. “Fifteen years ago I wouldn’t like to have had myself as a boss. I didn’t know how to listen or to make people listen.”

Besides the normal qualities of Leadership, Neufeld has the ability to welcome changes, according to Librarian Elizabeth Bowman.

“Things may not always work, but he isn’t afraid to try it,” she said.

Neufeld that his main goal as a manager is to make his coworkers want to come to work.

“Last final week, he threw all his stuff out of the office, had a Nintendo Wii installed, and had us come in and play, just as a stress reliever,” said Naithan Gallego, a student and a computer tutor in the library.

Neufeld also volunteers his technology skills all over campus.

“I only sleep five hours a night,” he said with a laugh.

This fall Neufeld will start teaching a Social Networking & Social Media class. In addition, his goal for the library is to accelerate further and achieve more awards.

“Next year we’ll win the Best Library Program Award,” Neufeld said, grinning.