Our Year Began in April by Meredith Reed is a gentle family story set at the turn of the 20th century. Told through the voice of eleven year old Linda, stories unfold, always with the mixture of both dread and anticipation that greets the Methodist minister head of the family as he returns home from the annual conference with the news that the family will either stay with their present congregation, or move to a new one.
For many individuals and families the beginning of a new year may have very little to do with the arrival of January 1st. My profession had me transition from student to educator. So, from my first day of kindergarten until the first day of my last year as an educator my “year” began in September, with each new school year. With the arrival in Greendale of my two school age granddaughters, whom we care for everyday, my year continued to begin in September.
And isn’t September in Wisconsin a prettier, livelier, more invigorating time to launch into a new beginning, than a day that might bring us an ice storm, power-outage or canceled flight? For both parents and those in the education profession, it’s (forgive the metaphor) a clean slate. New challenges, new possibilities, and new experiences.
Many others, outside the academic world, see September as a transition. Not only are we moving from the long days, heat and activities of summer, to the shorter, darker, colder days of winter; but we see these changes in our environment, and respond to them. September is that bridge month-sunny days, cooler nights, harvest foods,a resumption of activities often suspended during the summer months.
Changes occur in other areas at this time, as well. This will be my last “Message from the President”. Having served my tenure, I re-take my place as simply a citizen member of the library board, and relinquish the President’s Chair to Corinne D’Amato. Change for the sake of change is rarely a wise idea, but new ideas, new perspectives, new and capable leadership are what keeps boards of any type growing and flourishing. The citizens of Greendale will find all of those qualities in Corrine. I happily turn over the leadership to her; and just as I happily continue to serve under it.
One thing I am going to miss is writing these occasional messages. I have taken a great deal of pleasure composing them, and hope they have been pleasurable to read. Perhaps, if Brian runs out of energy, and Corrine runs out of time, a “guest” message might be needed. I’d be happy to pinch-hit as a sub, looking for some entertaining literary or library topic for your perusal. There is nothing I enjoy talking about (other than my granddaughters, of course) as much as libraries and literature.
I thank the board for its confidence in my leadership these past several years, and its support of my “voice” as their representative. I thank Brian and the library staff for all they do to keep our library one in which we can all take a great deal of pride. And, thanks to all the citizens of Greendale, who so whole-heartedly support their small, but vibrant library.
Keep reading!
Katherine Dombrowski, President of the Greendale Public Library Board
Mission of the Greendale Public Library:
We strive to transform lives and strengthen our community by creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive home for information, learning, inspiration, and connection.
