LITTLE CURRENT—The Northeast Town’s public library was packed to capacity on the weekend as friends, patrons and a host of other well-wishers came out to help librarian Judy Kift celebrate her retirement at a come-and-go social. There were many more who stayed rather than went, however, enjoying a heavily laden table of treats.
Mayor Al MacNevin presented Ms. Kift with a certificate from the town, augmented with a gift basket and a bouquet of flowers. In addition to his official duties, Mayor MacNevin had personal reminiscences of serving on the board with Ms. Kift and her dedication and hard work on behalf of the library.
The library board presented Ms. Kift with a particularly touching parting gift, her choice of one of the sketches of long-time board member and library supporter artist Ivan Wheale of Little Current, whose art is currently on display in the library.
Ms. Kift had narrowed her choice of sketches down to two, but deciding between them was made much easier after chatting with the artist. “The one piece was of a lovely cottage, but when I asked Ivan where it was he told me ‘somewhere in Val Caron’ so, of course I had to have the one from the Island,” she laughed. In the end it was a sketch of the Cowan Barn, near Black Creek Lodge, that finally won the librarian’s discriminating nod.
As the afternoon drifted along to a softly lilting soundtrack provided by pianist Barb Cranston and violinist Sandy McGillivray, both also long-time supporters of the library, the lively murmur of reminiscences provided a pleasant undercurrent.
Although library chair Marian Barnett had said that the afternoon was not intended “for speechifying,” Ms. Kift was allowed a few moments to thank her friends and colleagues.
“I have been so very fortunate,” she said, as she recalled the many board members and staff that she has had the opportunity to work with, as well as the ongoing support provided to the library, and herself, throughout the years.
The reaction of the staff was exemplified by Ruth Wilson’s comment that she felt “very lucky” to have been able to work with Ms. Kift, a sentiment also reflected in the comments of former library staffer Susan Hart, who like many former staff and board members had travelled in to take part in the event.
Library board Chair Marian Barnett commented on the working atmosphere in the library as well. “I have never seen such a leader who was so well liked by her staff,” she said. “Everybody on staff regards Judy as a good friend.”
Ms. Barnett went on to note that Ms. Kift had “overseen some very progressive initiatives at the library, especially in the last five years.” Ms. Barnett applauded Ms. Kift’s approach to the changing dynamics of community libraries. “Judy encouraged the library to move forward with the times and to modernize,” she said.
That bonhomie extended onto the board’s interactions with the Ms. Kift. “All the board participated,” she said of the come-and-go celebration, “right down to the washing of the last dish. It was totally shared by all of the board.”
Sandy McGillivray, who was chair of the board when Ms. Kift took on the role of head librarian, recalled her impressive work ethic. “I don’t think she had any training at all when she took it on, other than working with the former librarian,” he said. “She took every course she could and was very eager to learn.” Mr. McGillivray, who served on the library board for 10 years, said that Ms. Kift was “absolutely marvelous to work with.”
Ms. Kift started with the library in 1985, almost by accident. “I was asked to assist Catherine Paisley,” she recalled. “The library wasn’t open as many days back then, but Catherine was travelling and asked if I would be interested in coming in and spelling her.”
One thing led to another and Ms. Kift became the librarian herself, overseeing a wide range of changes and helping to bring the library into the new millennium.
“We started out with one computer,” she said, “now I think we have 13, although some of those are the ones we use for the technology courses and are laptops.”
By 2003 the library left the old card indexes behind to become fully automated and computerized. “It was really a volunteer effort,” said Ms. Kift. “There were some staff involved, but we had a large number of volunteers who came in and helped enter the data.”
Ms. Kift’s late husband Ed was a huge support to her through the years, she noted. “I called him my mailman,” she chuckled. “We used to receive packages of books from the Ontario Library Service that helped supplement our book budget. Ed would go and collect the packages for me, and deliver back the books we didn’t use.”
The library has seen a significant change in how it is used, although some things have remained the same down through the years. “There is a bigger emphasis on seniors today,” said Ms. Kift. Although the library still has reading sessions for children during the summer months, today the library hosts games clubs, art programs, a knitting club, a bridge club and technology classes for seniors as well as hosting a Community Access Point that provides access to the Internet that may not be available for many low income patrons. It is a true social hub for the community.
The librarian spent much of The Expositor interview extolling the many people she has worked with through the years, the boards she has worked with and the town staff that have been “so very supportive and patient with me.” But, at the end of the day, it has been Ms. Kift who has overseen the translation of the NEMI Public Library from a one-room operation to a modern information hub for the community—and this was a day to celebrate her accomplishments and thank her for her many years of diligent and dedicated service.
Ms. Kift’s shoes have been proving to be a challenge to fill, but the librarian said she was adamant on sticking to her retirement. “I will still drop by for a cup of tea now and then,” she said, “but I am really looking forward to taking part in the activities.”
