GCPL Director Deborah F. O’Connor to Retire

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After 30 years of service at Geauga County Public Library, Director Deborah F. O’Connor has announced her retirement. Her last day will be Sept. 30.

Mrs. O’Connor came to GCPL as the Assistant Director in 1985, under then-director Larry Corbus. Previously, she had worked in Canton, Michigan, where she founded the community’s first public library in 1979. Her earlier experience in Michigan as the children’s librarian and later as the Director in Dunning-Hough Library helped prepare her for the role of Director of GCPL, which she assumed in 1990. Her entire career has been devoted to library service. In fact, her first job during her high-school years was as a library page in Melvindale Public Library in Michigan. Mrs. O’Connor’s bachelor’s degree is in English literature and her master’s is in library science, both from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Her tenure at Geauga County Public Library has been marked by tremendous growth. She oversaw two major catalog migrations that encompassed the entire collection. Her staff has grown from 75 to 215 employees. In a county of approximately 90,000 citizens, 57,490 have library cards and the system circulates over two million items annually. Geauga enjoys the highest circulation per capita of all 88 counties in Ohio and has the busiest bookmobile, checking out more than a quarter of a million items every year.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve Geauga County in the profession that I love,” Mrs. O’Connor says. “I began my career 48 years ago as a shelver in a library where I dreamed about becoming a librarian. Now, looking back at my past 30 years in Geauga County, working to share ideas and information, I’m gratified I was able to pursue my dreams in such a supportive community. Both the Library Board and the staff have been and continue to be dedicated to the very best services possible. I will miss everyone, but will continue to live in Geauga and use the library. I’m excited to see what the system’s next steps will be.”

The Library Board appointed Ed Worso as the next Director. His first day will be Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Caption: After 30 years of service at Geauga County Public Library, Director Deborah F. O’Connor has announced her retirement. Her last day will be Sept. 30, 2015.

Geauga News
Author: Geauga News