Letter to Editor | Grateful for my Career at Library

— from Kathleen Lunde —

Lately as I have been out and about on the island, people have been asking me why they have not seen me at the Public Library. The reason is that on December 1st, I retired from the Library after 26 plus years. It was not apparent to me when Victoria hired me that I would end up becoming the longest employed staff person in the history of the then young Library District.

I would like to thank Victoria Parker for giving me the opportunity over many others that applied for the position. Over the years she mentored, encouraged, promoted, and believed in me. I remember how excited I was, how I looked forward to going to work every day. I spent those first few months, in addition to my daily duties, shelf reading to familiarize myself with the collection, which was still largely made of donated books.

But now we were a taxing district and had a budget, which meant we could buy materials, but where to put them. The idea of a new building was in the works, and after construction started, the four of us that were on staff would visit the site weekly with coffee and donuts (and maple bars, talking about you Victoria), and write our names on the plywood where our workspaces would be. Moving day was only the beginning of a wild ride through the next dozen years.

Soon automation would arrive, changing from the card catalog to the electronic one. The process took time and there was a learning curve for the staff and the patrons. Then the Internet! How did we work without it? Phyllis and I taught internet classes at the high school at night to willing adult participants, and over the years as devices and content evolved, people would come to the Library for instruction.

And what can I say about Phyllis Carney? Those of you who have met her know what a force of nature she was. Her children’s programs were fun and innovative. She would start right after the first of the year to work on her upcoming programs for summer. There would be a different theme each summer and it was great to watch the kids have so much fun. Those kids are now adults, some with their own kids and they still tell me how enjoyable those days were.

I want to thank the many patrons over the years who have made my job enjoyable and you know how much I loved the collection development part of my job. Buying an item with someone in mind and seeing their faces when they came to pick up an item they had no idea about always made my day. I got to know so many wonderful islanders and I will miss you.

And finally, I would like to thank the many volunteers I have worked with over the years. I was very fortunate to be the volunteer manager for 17 years and got to know the most wonderful people, many becoming good friends. I met your families, visited your homes, and attended your funerals. My own mother volunteered for 18 years until she passed in 2009. One of our volunteers presided over my marriage. I will never forget any of these folks and will miss them as well.

I have always had at least two jobs during my almost 37 years on the island, and am still working, but being down to one after all these years feels really good.