Community invited to Barbara Love's Kewanee Library sendoff today

After five and a half years of service to the Kewanee Public Library, Director Barbara Love is turning over the reins. Love recently announced her retirement and is inviting the community to come celebrate with her at a special library event today, Wednesday, July 20.

During her tenure as library director, Love said that she and the library board, with input from the community, have been able to put together a new strategic plan that will help focus the mission of the library well into the future.

“Meeting needs to connect people with each other and with the things they need gives us a strong base from which to work,” Love said. “This focus is helping the library build value into each interaction with community members. We are paying attention to ways we can remove barriers to library service for the entire community.”

One example, Love said, is that the library is now a “fine-free library,” which breaks down the economic barrier for many individuals and families who need to use the library services.

As she looks forward to her retirement, she admits that she will miss many aspects of the position.

“I’ll miss the chance to interact with so many people, to touch their lives in positive ways. I think we all miss friends and colleagues once we retire,” she said. “I’ll miss the platform to do good, to help in the ways that working at the library provides.”

Her favorite part of the job was the people − the library staff, board members, patrons and community members.

“I will continue to treasure all of the relationships and friendships I’ve made over the years,” said Love.

Once retired, Love said she is looking forward to reevaluating the use of her time and resources without the necessity of the nine to five day.

“That’s probably just a fancy way to say, ‘I’m not sure what the next chapter looks like for us, but I am excited to find out.’”

Rather than simply a retirement party, Love said she requested a program − something fun for everyone.

“Celebrate Space Exploration Day is what came out of that,” she said. “I know the Astronomy Club of the Quad Cities is bringing solar telescopes and talking about all things solar astronomy.”

Love said there will be space activities, crafts and refreshments.

“I know that everyone is invited and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone,” said Love.

The library staff has been working hard on the program and celebration and Love said several details will be a surprise to her.

Today's event begins at 2 p.m. with a program from the Astronomy Club of the Quad Cities. Attendees will be able to try out a solar-filter telescope and learn about solar flares and meteors.

Crafts and space activities for all ages, along with refreshments, will be featured from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The library staff is inviting community members to stop by the main floor “to help honor our director Barbara Love as she retires from KPLD.”

“We hope her next chapter is ‘out of this world,’” the flyer for the event reads.

This article originally appeared on Star Courier: Community invited to Barbara Love's Kewanee Library sendoff today