After an amazing 27 years fulltime with the Oneida County Library, around 13 of them as the Director, Kathy Kent is officially retiring form the position.  I purposefully didn’t say “retiring from the library” because she intends to stay involved as a consultant and technologist.  With her vast expertise and knowledge of the library’s inner workings and wide range of services, she will provide invaluable assistance to the new library director Jeni Sperry, and the newly created position of Assistant Director, which will be filled by Laura DeJong.  With the many changes in technology and how funding for the library is obtained (primarily though grants), as well as many other things that are different now than they were in 1998, it was felt by the board that the position was more accurately a two person job.  Laura DeJong will primarily oversee programming for the library, which is itself a very busy task as this week’s Summer Reading kickoff can attest.

It was not only Kathy who made the decision to leave her position, but also Lois Willie, who has served on the Board for around 30 years.  Although not as visible in the library on a day to day basis, members of the board were clear that Lois’ tenure on the board has been an enormous factor in the success of the library over the years.

Both Kathy and Lois will be honored at an Open House event, tentatively scheduled for early August at present.  At this event they will hopefully give the speeches that they talked themselves out of this time.  Kathy did state for the record, “It’s been great.”

The new board was sworn in, with the following assignments: Tracy Ward, Chair; Kami Willie, Vice Chair; Brent Grote, Treasurer; Jane Ann Ward, Secretary; and Sheryl Gardner, member.  

We will bring you more details about the Open House as it approaches, and of the ongoing Summer Reading program as it progresses.

Congratulations, and we wish everyone well in their new roles!