Upper Sandusky library retirees honored with reception

Upper Sandusky Community Library Director Joanne Gilmore (from left) presents engraved book clocks to retiring library staffers Ruth Vogel and Dorothy Cheney, as former long-time library trustee Loren Schoenberger looks on Friday morning. Vogel and Cheney are retiring from the library after nearly 30 years of service.

Upper Sandusky Community Library wished farewell to two long-time employees during an open house Friday morning. Ruth Vogel and Dorothy Cheney have retired after nearly 30 years on the job.
“With both women retiring, the library is losing a large part of its history,” Upper Sandusky Community Library Director Joanne Gilmore said. “Although some of the remaining staff have been here for 18 years or more, we feel that a huge part of our hearts will be missing with their departure.”
Vogel, a library clerk, has worked at the library for 29 years.
“I’ve just loved it here (at the library),” Vogel said. “I’ve loved working with the new books and I love the patrons that come in. I’m leaving (the library) loving my job. I know a lot of people can’t say that after 29 years, but I do. (The library) has been a perfect place for me. I’ve loved it.”
Friday was Vogel’s last day on the job.
“I appreciate all the patrons. They have been so kind,” Vogel said. “I have met so many people that I would have never met had I not worked here (at the library). Some of them I’ve become close friends with and I plan on keeping in touch with them.
“My co-workers could not have been any better people,” she added. “They are wonderful people. I’ve enjoyed them all. It’s been a fantastic experience for me.”
Cheney, a library assistant, retired in June after a long absence due to a leg injury she suffered in 2011. She also was honored Friday for her 32 years of service.
“(The library) was a happy, cheerful place to work,” Cheney said. “I’m going to miss the people and the reading club kids so much. … I’m going to miss every (library) employee. I got along beautifully with everyone.”
Cheney said she still plans to be a regular fixture at the library.
“I used to work on Thursday nights for so many years, so I still have to come in every Thursday night because I get that longing to come back,” she said.
Cheney kept records for the library’s Heritage Room and worked at the circulation desk.
“By the time I came on staff, Dorothy was working only 12 hours per week,” Gilmore said. “She, too, always had a smile for our customers and her co-workers. … She was our go-to person for the Heritage Room collection. … Dorothy always was willing to learn new things. She said she found it a challenge. She was always a good listener when a customer wanted to share.”
During her time at the library, Vogel had several responsibilities, including working at the circulation desk and cataloging and covering books.
“Ruth always had a smile on her face and did small extras for our customers,” Gilmore said. “She knew what a lot of our customers liked to read and if she saw a title come in that she thought someone might like, she’d place a request on it for them. She loved to read herself and was a good resource for suggestions on what to read. She was the go-to person for reader’s advisory.”
Vogel said she plans to spend more time with her family now that she no longer is working.
“I’m going to spend a lot of time with my grandson,” she said. “He’s 4 (years old), so he’s got one more year before he goes to kindergarten. I want to spend a lot of time with him and maybe help out taking him to preschool.
“I’m also going to do some house cleaning that I keep putting off,” Vogel added with a smile. “I’ll have more time to read and do whatever I want to. I’m waiting for my husband to retire so we can do things together.”
Cheney also plans to spend more  time with her family now that she has retired.
“I’m going to be busy keeping up with my two sons, their wives and my three grandchildren,” Cheney said. “I also plan to do some updating in my house.”
Both women were greeted by friends and library patrons wishing them farewell Friday. They each received an engraved book clock from the library’s board of trustees.
Vogel and Cheney both are lifelong Wyandot County residents and currently live in Upper Sandusky.

By CHANDA NEELY
City editor

Posted by Daily Chief on September 1, 2012. Filed under Featured,Local News,Recent Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry