Working in a library, new chapters are waiting to be started every day. Some are happy and playful, and others are full of sorrow or mystery. The Adams County Public Library is starting a new chapter this week, which is bittersweet and hopeful. Mary Gaffin, a fixture at the Adams County Public Library for the last 27 years is retiring.
Most people hope to retire once, but Mary has done it twice. Mary was a school librarian for Manchester until 1995. Mary started volunteering at the Adams County Public Library in her now spare time and, in 1997, joined the library to begin her second career. Mary held the title of Technical Services Librarian; in this role, Mary interacted with all books, media, and any items the library added to their collection. Mary’s last significant project was in the library’s genealogy section. When asked about its completion, Mary responded, “I enjoyed working through it; I knew some of the people the records were about and enjoyed reading about them.”
Mary’s coworkers will miss her daily antics and her perfect parking jobs! One coworker may miss her more than others, Laura Thornton. Laura has shared an office with Mary for the last 12 years. But before that, they were across the hall from each other at school. Laura was the art teacher at Manchester, and her room was across the hall from the library. The two spent time building a friendship. “The office will feel lonely without her; she has been talking about retiring for two years. I thought she would wait till she turned 90.”
Mary was asked what the first thing she would do in her new retirement would be. She responded, “Stay in bed until noon and start reading her TBR (to be read) pile.” Which she has, thanks to seeing all the different books coming into the library.
The readers of Adams County would like to thank Mary for her many years of service to her community as a school and public librarian. You have been a champion for literacy in Adams County. We hope you enjoy your second retirement.
