Jim didn't want a traditional retirement party. "Too many greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention unwanted calories," he said. So instead we are having a Virtual Retirement Party - carbon neutral and heart healthy!

To celebrate, Jim wants all his colleagues and associates to post a good wish, photo or a memory to this blog. You can even ask Jim a question. Jim will reply to every post! (Jim will be the only person able to comment on messages after they are posted).

And while you're at it, Jim hopes you will consider a donation in his honor to his favorite charity, our own Talking Book and Braille Services.

Please submit your message before Jim retires on December 30, 2011. Include your name at the end of your message.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Congratulations and thanks

Dear Jim,
In the mid-1990s, you convinced this brand new librarian to do public demonstrations of a new service called the World Wide Web.  What a shock when over 250 people attended each session! Somehow you knew this technology was going to change society and wanted libraries to be at the forefront.
I quickly learned this was your modus operandi:  look far into the future and then convince library leaders that we should be prepared—excited, even!—for what was coming.
I will miss how you have kindly cajoled us to embrace new possibilities, while still affirming the fundamentals of books, reading and literacy. Your support and encouragement changed the trajectory of my career, too, and I’m forever thankful.
Thank you for all the gentle nudges that you have provided to Oregon libraries and to those of us lucky enough to work in them.  Best wishes for a wonderful retirement!
Abigail Elder, Tualatin Public Library


1 comment:

  1. Jim ScheppkeDecember 31, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Thanks so much Abigail. It has been a joy to see you advance in your career. I admire the way you weren't afraid to keep moving on your career path, and I'm sure you learned a lot along the way at several great libraries. Now you have a jewel of a library to direct in Tualatin, but I actually hope you will keep moving! You have the potential to be a top library leader, if that's what you wanted to do. I also want to thank you for your leadership in the Oregon Library Association. I'm sure our paths will continue to cross as they did just the other day. All the best to you Abigail.

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