A thankful director bids farewell to library system
MARY F. BOBINSKI Director Amherst Libraries
Iwill be retiring by the end of the year as thedirector of the Amherst Public Library following 33 years of

service. But, I will always support public library service as a private citizen. My lifetime occupation, which I have loved since working my way through college in libraries, has been public libraries because I know how much they mean to people and all the services they provide to the community.

These people have given me the gift of their support. I need no other. They are too numerous to mention by name and include library staff members and volunteers, Amherst Public Library Board members past and present, the Town of Amherst officials and employees, and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System. Although there were tempting offers over the years, I never wanted to work anywhere else than Amherst. Whoever I called, town official or employee, everyone held out a hand of help. No request was ever denied. How great to work in a community where everyone cares and will do their utmost to make things happen. I also am grateful to our Erie County and state legislators. They also care and know how much our public libraries mean to the community.

When I started, there were three Amherst public libraries, which were beginning to show wear and tear — water leaking, walls stained, old furniture marred, vandalized and scratched. In fact, in two of the buildings there were problems everywhere you looked. Now we have four buildings with beautiful grounds, including the Amherst Main Library at Audubon. There are book drops at each library, which surprisingly was a controversial concept in Amherst libraries when I started, even though they were in use nationwide.

Over the years, many awards were won by the Amherst libraries including: 1992 New York Library Association Public Libraries Section Building Award Program — Honorable Mention, Amherst Main Library; 1998 NYLA, Ethnic Services Roundtable for Outstanding Dedication to Multiculturalism; 2000 New York Association for Continuing Community Education Service Award for Contributions to the Progress of Adult Education; Certificate of Appreciation from the New York Library Association to the director for service as president of the Public Libraries Section, and Public Library Directors Association of New York State. The director has been listed in the “Who’s Who In America” for the last several years.

I wish to thank, also, Bea Elye and the Citizens to Save the Libraries, and Jean Stadelman, chair of the Grassroots Group to Save Williamsville Library. Both groups have done much to protect libraries. The Citizens group received an award from the New York Library Association in 1981. I am proud to be one of them now and in the future.

Since this is my last column, I wish to thank The Amherst Bee. If you want to know what is or has been going on, consult The Bee. I never miss an issue. And, this newspaper has always publicized and supported library service in Amherst.

This library service ranks nationwide in the 100th percentile with the lowest cost per circulation, 99th percentile for circulation per full-time staff hour, 97th percentile collection turnover, and 94th percentile for circulation per capita. The new library director who is selected by the Amherst Public Library Board will be fortunate to work with a group of people who have done so much to achieve these records and success. I feel blessed and privileged to have worked with so many special groups and people in service to the community. With such support, anything is possible. Thanks to all!