In early June of this year, longtime library director Kathy Kent announced that she would be retiring from that position.  Kathy spent 13 years as the director, and a total of 27 working for the Oneida County Library.   Longtime Library board member Lois Willie, who served at least 30 years as a member, also announced that she would be retiring from the board.

Since then, Jeni Sperry was hired as the Library Director and Laura deJong as the Assistant Director.  

When Kent and Willie announced their intentions to step down, an Open House was tentatively scheduled for later in the summer, and now a specific date has been set.

The date corresponds with this paper’s press day, which is to say Thursday, August 7.  The library will host the reception and open house event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Visitors will have a chance to visit with the two library legends and wish them well as they embark on their next adventures.

Refreshments will be served during the evening, and one hopes (ok, mostly I hope!) that speeches will be given.

The library is truly a cornerstone of the community, and many of its programs and initiatives which fill that community support role were directly led or inspired by the two women.  Expanded access to internet resources, audiobooks, STEM supplies and activities, learning modules and resources for homeschooling, 3-D printing, laser etching, adult education classes…the list goes on and on.  

Sperry and deJong are continuing the great work the library has become known for, but none of it would have been possible without the amazing foundation laid down by Kathy Kent and Lois Willie.  So head on down to the library on Thursday and let them know how you have been affected by one of this community’s greatest, sometimes unsung, resources!