Today marks 23 years as the Director of the Carver Public Library. Twenty.Three.Years.
I wrote extensively about my time here 3 years ago for my 20th anniversary and everything I said then still holds true. Looking back over that post, though, I can’t help think about how blissfully unaware I was of the changes that were just 6 months down the road.
In other words, being a Library Director during a global pandemic was really challenging. All the things I took for granted . . . my staff, the hours that the library was open, the daily flow of patrons in and out of the building . . . went away. I spent a lot of my work time alone during the first few months of the pandemic. I cried when I updated the library voicemail to say that we were closed indefinitely. I felt helpless when I had a Zoom staff meeting and told everyone they were furloughed. I struggled with how to meet the community’s need for a library without being able to open the doors. They were the darkest days of my career.
I suppose this is the part where I get philosophical and wax on about how you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone. I don’t know that I have that perspective on the pandemic yet, though. I can say that those months of being closed and the months that followed when we only provided curbside service and then the months that followed that when we were only open a few days a week showed me once again how important libraries are. It helped me remember that this is indeed a noble profession and that the services we provide are invaluable and even life changing and saving.
I can’t say I’m glad to have learned that lesson. But I can say that I’m glad to have had 23 years in the same place with many of the same people. It’s my home away from home and I’m so grateful for the path that lead me here and the road I continue to walk.
Happy Work Anniversary to me and the Carver Public Library. It’s a good place to call home.
Congratulations Carole. Carver is blessed to have you.let the journey continue
Twenty three years? I believe you’re an institution now, right? Because it’s not just the years, but the quality of the service. I remember my growing up library ladies quite fondly. Happy workaversary!
Happy Work-versary! One thing the pandemic reinforced for me was how blessed we are to have Public Libraries. The library has been a happy place for me since I was a child but I found an entirely new love for the dedication of librarians and loved picking up carefully packaged books during the pandemic.
I am sure that those who visit you feel the same love for your dedication to those who visit you!
Happy Workaversary!! 23 years is a long time and your library is fortunate to have you. I believe public libraries became god-sends for many during the pandemic. Cheers to the year(s) ahead!
How lucky are you? Of course, you earned it, but how lucky are you? Libraries are my favorites places, and librarians are my favorite people. Congratulations, Carole!
Congratulations on 23 years! I’ve always felt this way, but I think we all re-learned and truly appreciate how important our libraries, librarians, and staff are. Here’s to more happy and productive years at your work home!
Happy Workaversary! They are so fortunate to have you. And what a beautiful building!
Happy Work Anniversary! I am very thankful for my local library – especially during the pandemic!!
Happy 23d workversary! Did you know Connie Koffman? I believe she was your predecessor.
Happy Work Anniversary! That’s a beautiful library.
Happy anniversary, Carole! It sounds to me like you have found the perfect job for you, and I hope you have many more years to enjoy it. I am so thankful for libraries and was never more so than during those scary first months of the pandemic. Thank you for all you and your staff do to keep the library running!
Wow, Carole – congratulations on 23 fabulous years … The library, the staff, AND the community are so fortunate to have you!