This is my last library column as I start retirement June 1st after a 35 year library career. Working with a talented staff and dedicated Library Board has made library service flourish. My sincere thanks to everyone for helping make this happen.

I started my full-time career as a librarian at the Brampton Public Library in May 1974 and was appointed Deputy Chief Librarian of the Niagara Falls Public Library in July 1984. In March 1993 I was appointed Chief Librarian of the Niagara Falls Public Library when Dorothy Van Slyke retired.

Significant accomplishments since 1993 included the automation of the library’s catalogue and circulation system and the creation of the library’s website which today has one of Ontario’s largest and most used historic digital collections; the opening in 2005 of the Community Centre Branch Library which has become the second busiest library in the City; and all-time borrowing records set in 2006 and once again in 2008.

The library received various awards during this time including the Ontario Library and Information Technology Association’s Award for Technical Innovation, the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence, the Ontario Public Library Association’s James Bain Medallion, the Lundy’s Lane Historical Society’s Heritage Award, the City of Niagara Falls Environment Award and the Patrick Cummings Memorial Award presented by the City’s Disability Advisory Committee.

In 2007 I started to discuss succession planning with library managers and with the Library Board noting that I might take early retirement during the current Board’s term. After announcing my retirement, the Board appointed Monika Seymour to the position of Chief Librarian effective June 1st.

Monika joined the Niagara Falls Public Library in 1987 and has been Manager of Public Services since 1998. She will continue to ensure a high quality of library service to the community. Monika has been instrumental in the development of various public service and personnel policies. She has directly supervised more than two dozen staff; was a management representative on the Joint Health & Safety Committee; helped plan various programs, publicity and services; managed the Serials and non-English language collections; and previously selected government publications. She currently serves on the Boards of the Multicultural Network Services of Niagara and the Southern Ontario Multilingual Pool and advocates library service to newcomers.