Retirement Party

Now my retirement is almost totally official (won't be final until the first pension check is deposited).  The library and party planners par excellence Karen, Alice and Ann put together a wonderful brunch last Sunday (July 10) to celebrate my retirement (and Nancy Fezell's too - we went out together).

It was great to see friends, old and new - there were people who represented all 35 years of my employment at the library.  We got plaques and lovely gifts and everyone had a good time.

Retirement - the beginning of a new era

Yesterday was my last day of work after 35 years of employment at the Fair Lawn Library.  I've enjoyed the job of librarian more than I ever thought possible.  It suited me to a T and I was fortunate to be at the right time at the right place.  I entered the field at a time of card catalogs and self-suffient stand alone libraries and an almost totally book-based universe.  Now it's an electronic world and exciting for that with so much information available.  The economic climate was more positive then, and, I think, libraries (and public employees) were more valued.  I've worked with a lot of wonderful people and formed some good friendships.  And now it's time to move aside for someone else, take my pension, and do lots of traveling.  I didn't want a lot of fuss, but Usha gave me the cake and a lovely necklace, Alexander flowers, and a bag of little gifts from Kerri.  And we all felt a bit sad!