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.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Many thanks

Jim,
As a current librarian and a retired teacher, I have valued your support of both public and school librarians. You have tirelessly advocated for library professionals and support staff throughout the state.

As one who has worked in TBABS, I appreciate your support of the program to expand the services that Oregon offers while still keeping the cost to the State manageable. You have also encouraged staff to find more efficient and more functional tools with which to do their jobs. On the national level, for years you actively promoted providing downloadable books to the blind and visually impaired, long before they were available to public libraries.

As a citizen of Oregon, I especially want to thank you for your support and advocacy of the creation of new public libraries and library districts throughout the state. As one result of this, Alsea, the small Oregon town in which I live, has a wonderful and truly functional building which meets many of our community needs in addition to housing a spacious, beautiful, and much appreciated library as a branch of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library System.
You have truly lived up to the title “State Librarian.”

And on a personal level, Jim, I cheer your advocacy of Apple computers! And all the devices that have followed!

Enjoy your retirement—you have definitely earned it.

All the best,
Carolynn

1 comment:

  1. Jim ScheppkeDecember 4, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Carolyn, you were a great manager for TBABS back in the difficult days when we were still struggling with old technology. All that has changed now and TBABS has a bright future ahead. Thanks for coming back to serve on the TBABS Advisory Council.

    As for your home, Alsea, I will always have very warm feelings about your library. Deborah Jacobs asked me to do the building program, but the community followed through and did the hard work to fund and build the wonderful branch. I still consider it to be a model of rural library services. I can think of a lot of other unincorporated places in Oregon, and even incorporated places, that would love to have the quality of library services that Alsea enjoys.

    My best to you Carolynn. I hope our paths cross in the future.

    ReplyDelete

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