ESSEX — After 18 years of service to patrons of TOHP Burnham Public Library, Director Debbie French will be stepping down.
To honor French, town and library officials are planning a retirement reception on Oct. 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the library, 30 Martin St. in Essex. The reception will be held in the third-floor auditorium.
For French, the change is hard to fathom.
“It feels great to be stepping down after 18 years, (but) it doesn’t seem possible the journey is coming to a close,” she said. “It was an honor to be able to serve the Essex community and beyond for the time I was here.”
When asked what she is most proud of, French pointed to the following:
Doing her part to make the library a welcoming place.
Making efforts to establish and maintain relationships with local libraries, cultural organizations and programs that promote literacy and reading opportunities.
Encouraging children to use the library as a place to conduct community service projects.
“I’m most proud that I was able to keep the library a welcoming, warm, community space and increase programming for all age levels,” she said. “To have kids who attended story hours come back and want to do their community service at the library is very special.”
In addition, French said she has been pleased to collaborate with the Cape Ann Museum, the library directors at Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester and the Rockport and Manchester-by-the-Sea public libraries regarding the program “Cape Ann Reads.”
Cape Ann Reads is an initiative of the four libraries to launch a joint project with community partners aimed at supporting family literacy and community outreach.
During French’s 18 years of service at the TOHP Burnham Public Library, she said the biggest change has been digitization of the library’s holdings and the expansion of its online presence. She also has seen the challenges of balancing budgetary reductions against the attempt to “remain current.”
A common experience during her years on job, she said, takes place when patrons occasionally ask at the circulation desk, “I can’t remember if I read this,” only to be met with her reply, “Yes, you did.”
As for what sort of advice French might give to those entering the world of library science, she is very enthusiastic.
“Go for it,” she said. “It is a rewarding profession on so many levels. Every day is different. There are so many ways to support, encourage and advocate.”
French, who has lived in town for approximately 40 years, said after stepping down, her family will be glad to see more of her.
As to what the future holds, French said it will be about exploration and family.
“(It will be) to find what retirement is all about and to enjoy my new grandson,” she said.
Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@northofboston.com.