After 28 Years Blair Library Director Ready for New Chapter (video)

After 28 Years Blair Library Director Ready for New Chapter (video)
(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 1, 2014)

Elizabeth Gulick’s mission was simple: give people the world.
And in her 28 years at the Blair Memorial Library in Clawson, she was able to do that by introducing the love of reading and the adventure of learning to the thousands of people who used the library while it was under her care.
Gulick shared her love of reading with people who sat through story time and checked out children’s books, who went on to do school reports by looking up books in the wood and paper card catalog, and who grew to adults bringing in their own children for books and events. These families knew Gulick as their personal ambassador to the world beyond the four walls of the library in Downtown Clawson.
April 1 was Gulick’s last day. Clawson City Council honored her for her nearly three decades of service at their April 1 meeting.
“You’ve maintained loyal and friendly library staff which is through your role modeling. Some part time people work just a couple hours a week just because they enjoy being at the library. They enjoy how you run an efficient library and all the work you do. So its been a wonderful 28 years,” said Mayor Penny Luebs. “On behalf of Clawson we thank you so much for your work.”
Gulick said that even in retirement she will enjoy being part of the library as a patron, and that the library is in good hands. “They’ve been very good about promoting employees from within so Jennifer Gannod is the new director and I know she will do a very good job,” she said.
Council members also unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing April 13-19 as National Library Week in Clawson. Gulick contemplated this after the meeting when she was asked why libraries are important in a world with such fast-changing technology and so much information on the internet.
“Libraries serve many functions, but something we always say is that we want a nation of readers. If you share with young people the joy of reading, it brings them delight for their whole life,” she said.
She spoke about specific programs, like computers and computer classes. There are databases and access to research sites that are available at the library that would be cost-prohibitive for the average individual, she said.
“And you think about someone like a young mother whose budget is tight. It’s a wonderful place for her to get research she may need, or movies to watch, or materials for the kids to read. She can bring them to activities and meet other mothers. It’s not just the resources, it’s a place for community,” Gulick said. “For retirees, like me now, we can keep learning.”
Gulick is credited with expanding the library and working to gain community support to keep it open during tough times.
For more information on the Blair Memorial Library visit http://www.cityofclawson.com/your_government/library/.
 
 

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