Bobinski to retire after 33 years as library director
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

It was 33 years ago when Mary Bobinski was named director of the Amherst library system. Now, with her career aspirations met, she believes it's time to step down.

"I had goals I wanted to get accomplished, and once I got those accomplished, I knew I would retire," she said.

One of the major goals was revamping the libraries themselves. Bobinski said the buildings, with rotting structures and vandalized furniture, were a disaster when she was hired.

Bobinski went to work to remodel the then three existing libraries - Clearfield, Eggertsville-Snyder and Williamsville.

"A big part of my job was to update the buildings to make them attractive and inviting," she said.

The libraries were refurbished with the help of Town of Amherst departments, Erie County and town officials, the library maintenance staff and many other helping hands.

The construction of the Audubon Branch, which in 1997 was expanded to 22,206 square feet, also occurred during Bobinski's tenure. The addition made Audubon the largest public library building in Erie County, outside of the Central Library in downtown Buffalo.

"It was wonderful to work (in the library system). I never knew anyone who didn't come through for us," she said. "All (Amherst libraries) have been completely redesigned, updated and expanded where possible and are among the gems of the county library buildings."

When the county stopped funding the Williamsville library, Bobinski also worked to ensure it remained opened.

"We did things very economically," she said about her staff, including the extra effort of the maintenance staff to improve and maintain the structures.

During her tenure, the libraries experienced an expansion of programming, improved technology and the acquisition of self-checkout machines. She recalls the creation of the preschool program, the first educational experience for many children and also where they learn to love books.

Bobinski's dedication has made the four Amherst libraries places where residents want to go. Out of the 36 libraries in the county, all four rank in the top 16 in circulation numbers. Clearfield ranks second.

The passion came naturally for Bobinski as she knew for years that she wanted to work in the field and help people. A native of Rochester, Bobinski attended the University of Rochester and received her master's degree from Case Western Reserve University.

"The reason I went into the field is I feel very strongly that we are put on this earth for a purpose," she said. "I love helping people - it's very satisfying, and every day I am helping people."

Bobinski also loves the people who surround her in her work. From dedicated employees to children picking up their first books, she said it is a feeling of satisfaction.

"We provide a service to the public and have some of the best programs in the county for every age group," she said, adding that her staff is focused on the continuation of the libraries' success.

Bobinski also added that circulation and programming skyrocketed in Amherst - again, a credit to the staff and volunteers because the staff has been reduced by half over the years.

In 1972, the year before she started, the circulation was 617,014; now it has more than

doubled to 1,414,518. Programs in 1972 were few and very limited. In 2005, there were 623 programs and story times for 21,935 children, 78 family programs for 2,422 people, 102 programs for 986 adults, 1,012 visits from schools and 11,804 students in schools who received visits from librarians.

Food for Thought delivered books with meals to shut-ins. There were 33,499 users of computers, and use of meeting rooms by outside community groups for 1,500 meetings with an attendance of 6,546.

"In 2006, thanks to the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System, the libraries are completely automated and computerized. The changes have been almost unbelievable, especially since they occurred during a period of low budget and staff shortages," she said.

After she retires as director, Bobinski said she will continue to be an advocate for the libraries and volunteer where she is needed.

She plans to spend time with her husband, George, whom she met while attending Case Western. He shares her passion for the

field and recently wrote a book about the changes that took place in the libraries in the past 25 years.

Writing is something that took a back seat during her years as director, and Bobinski said she plans to dedicate more time to that following her retirement at the end of the year.

"A gift in my life has been being in a job that I have loved, full of challenges and opportunities for change, with people who have helped, through good times and trying times, achieve the goals envisioned," she said.