Our small town library volunteers had a farewell luncheon with out wonderful librarian of the past eight and a half years.
A small town library is a big time job and it was time for Donna to move onto other things, but she will be greatly missed at the library. Of course, we have become friends and so we were not saying good-bye, just good wishes on the new job.
A new librarian has been hired. She will start next Monday. She has big shoes to fill.
I am afraid she was promised way more volunteer help than will actually be available. Three of the volunteers are dealing with health issues--one recovery from a hip replacement, one facing both her own shoulder surgery and a daughter's critical surgery, and another with progressing COPD. One volunteer, the one who gave the most time, notified the board that he was leaving to pursue other interests, one will be moving out of town, and I will be leaving for Florida.
But she strikes me as a capable and resourceful person, so I am not worried.
I [lan to get back to actually reading books more now!
A small town library is a big time job and it was time for Donna to move onto other things, but she will be greatly missed at the library. Of course, we have become friends and so we were not saying good-bye, just good wishes on the new job.
A new librarian has been hired. She will start next Monday. She has big shoes to fill.
I am afraid she was promised way more volunteer help than will actually be available. Three of the volunteers are dealing with health issues--one recovery from a hip replacement, one facing both her own shoulder surgery and a daughter's critical surgery, and another with progressing COPD. One volunteer, the one who gave the most time, notified the board that he was leaving to pursue other interests, one will be moving out of town, and I will be leaving for Florida.
But she strikes me as a capable and resourceful person, so I am not worried.
I [lan to get back to actually reading books more now!
We, too, have a tiny library, and volunteers come and go. For being so small, though, it does have a lot to offer. I can research books online, make a list of the ones I want, drop it off at the library, and they find the books for me. It's a great set-up!
ReplyDeleteI thought about volunteering at the library in Florida, but there are so many volunteers there it is kind of ridiculous. I guess retirees are drawn to libraries.
DeleteIt has been quite a while since I have been to my library. I was going at least twice a week but they have been working on the main road between our towns and the detour is keeping many of us away. They were supposed to finish in August but the end is not even in sight. Soon the cold weather will add to my reduced trips. Hope things go well for your new Librarian and that some new volunteers show up to help.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't easy to get volunteers so I wish her luck. How frustrating for her that she is losing so many just as she gets started. But at least she has you!!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to fewer volunteer hours and more time reading!
DeleteI vividly remember the one-room library in Bondville, VT. I read just about all the fiction books they had while I lived there. By the time you get back from FL, the new librarian will be more than glad for you to start volunteering again. By the sounds of it, she's losing a lot of help!
ReplyDeleteBondville? Wow. That is even a smaller town than Jericho Center!
DeleteI really miss going to the library every week which stopped abruptly when I got my Kindle. Love my Kindle but miss the smell, hunting down the aisles for a new read and the excitement when the book you have on hold is finally available. I so hope the library itself survives.
ReplyDeleteHope your new librarian finds some help.
Our library now has two Kindles available for loan with a specific checked out book. Libraries are definitely going to be adapting to the new technologies to stay alive. What I really loved about Donna was her dedication to children's programs and promoting literacy--grooming future library users.
DeleteWhen I worked I would try to stay positive about changes, even though internally I resisted leaving my comfort zone. I'd say 'change is progress' I'm sure the new librarian will make her own 'progress' Hope you recognize the place when you get back!!!
ReplyDeleteI am feeling like it is time for changes in my life now, so who knows what the next season will bring? I do appreciate the time I have put in the library though. It has made me feel more connected to my home town after years of working in another town and not having time to get to know people in my own community.
DeleteIt's too bad the volunteers will be in short supply.
ReplyDeleteI made your Apple Bake twice so far, using Granny Smith apples. It was a hit. David and I like it so much, we plan to buy more Granny Smith apples. Three per bake seems sufficient.
I am glad you liked that recipe. Granny Smiths are a pretty good substitute for Northern Spys.
DeleteWell, B is a librarian, so I know that librarians are the unsung heroes of our communities (although B was a star at Halloween; half the kids know her and love her). So anyway, best of luck to your librarian and the volunteers.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, the joys of reading books instead of stacking them. It will be great to feel something from a book beside a back ache.
ReplyDeleteLike Arkansas Patti I do miss some of the charms of DTBs (dead tree books) with my Kindle. Buying a new book on a Kindle, it is a remarkably drab experience. Click the buy button and 30 to 60 seconds your Kindle contains all the words, photos, and information of a paper copy but none of the charm. But holding a 7 oz Kindle when reading a 900 page history book has some charms of its own...not to mention knowing where all your books are and being able to carry a 1000 of them in one hand.
I hope libraries will always have a place in our technological world.
Loved my library volunteering. Unfortunately, got to give it up because of retiring further away.
ReplyDelete