Contents

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Retiring Librarian Knows the Secret to Good Service

"Retiring Librarian Knows the Secret to Good Service." The Gleaner / Chuck Stinnett.
Henderson, Kentucky: The Gleaner Online, July 22nd 2011.

""People ask, 'What do you need a library for if you've got the Internet?' " [Donald Wathen] said. "Libraries aren't about books or tapes; libraries are about people. The library is here to serve people, to help people."
The key, he said, is embracing change and responding to what customers want.
The library today not only loans books and other materials, but provides access to technology, a variety of free classes, genealogical help and other services, and safely houses elements of Henderson's history: Old photos and documents; microfilm copies of The Gleaner, deeds, birth and death records, marriage records; old telephone books and city directories; old high school albums and more.
"People come here to find a good mystery or knowledge of how to get a job or access to a computer or ... (to attend) children's story hour," Wathen said. Some patrons visit three or four times a week; some come every day."