Gloria McKinney and John Fersch are among Tuesday’s library workers.
Joan Muyskens Pursley
Our library relies on volunteers to keep it open, orderly, and a fun and friendly place to visit. If you drop in on a Tuesday, you’ll find these fine folks there.
From 9 to 11 a.m.: Gloria McKinney and Mary Grigg. Gloria, a retired teacher and real estate agent, grew up in a small west Texas town that, she says, “fortunately had a very nice library. As a child, I spent many hours there reading and imagining the places I read about”—places she has traveled to as an adult. “I love books and libraries, so helping here is a natural thing for me. I like meeting and visiting with the residents who come to the library to check out books, read in a quiet, peaceful place, use the computers, check out videos, books on tape, or donate materials,” she adds. Mary Grigg worked as a registered nurse for 42 years. Now, besides volunteering, Mary enjoys traveling, quilting, and cooking.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Linda Stevens and Pam Franks. Linda, a retired librarian, worked in school and corporate libraries for 30 years. When “a call went out requesting library volunteers,” she says, “it seemed like a good opportunity for me to serve in the community. We are so fortunate to have a comfortable place to house literature for enjoyment and information, as well as a place to relax or to gather with other readers,” she adds. Pam Franks previously worked at an elementary school and assisted the librarian frequently. Now that she’s retired, “from a bank and a school district,” she enjoys our library and playing pickleball “as often as possible.”
From 1 to 3 p.m.: Elaine Kushmaul and Lois Mitchell. After 25 years in the health field, Elaine got a second master’s degree in library information services, and then worked 14 years at a community college. “Because of my previous work in libraries,” says this six-year volunteer, “I got involved in the behind-the-scenes work of maintaining the library catalog and rotating books and other items in and out of the collection.” Lois Mitchell began volunteering three years ago. “I worked in the energy industry for 37 years before moving here, but my degree is in education,” she notes, adding, “I’m a member of a Book Club here and I think the library provides a great service to the residents.”
From 3 to 5 p.m.: John Fersch and Joan Petre. “Sondra Richard and I are the only two who have been here since the opening day of the library,” John says. Volunteerism runs in his family; his 94-year-old sister still works at the New York library where she’s been for 30 years. John serviced computers in his “previous life,” he says. “My passion now is reading (non-fiction) and playing cards.” Joan Petre, a retired RN, has been volunteering for five years. “I’ve always loved to read, and this seemed like a good place to lend a hand,” she says.
For information on the library, visit www.Robsonlibrary.org.