50-Year-Reunion

To further my career, I realized I had to complete my bachelor ’ s degree. I applied to the Regents of Bachelor Arts degree program through Bluefield State College. I enrolled at the University of South Carolina in its Master of Library and Information Science program. I graduated in 2006. After completing my master ’ s, I applied to be the Branch Manager of the Lake City Library, our largest branch library. I supervised a staff of ten. I ordered books, planned programs, taught adult computer classes, and conducted Baby and Preschool Storytime. I loved working with babies and preschool children, their parents, and teachers with developing early literacy skills. I also liked teaching computer classes to adults. After leaving the Lake City Library I worked from 2013 - 2024 at the Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library, the headquarters library of the Florence County Library System. Working through COVID was an experience I will never forget, I answered all the incoming telephone reference calls while we were offering limited services. After working for the Florence County Library System for exactly 30 years, I decided to retire. Ray retired in 2020 after being an insurance adjuster for 40 years. After retirement he began painting again. Here is his website: rayquesada.com. Check out his paintings. Retirement has been an adjustment for me. I miss getting up and going to work and I miss my work family, but I have had an enjoyable year so far. As I reflect on my career choice as a librarian, I must admit this was the perfect career for me. I have always had a commitment to help my fellow humans to become the best person they can be, and the library was the avenue to do just that. The library is truly one of the few institutions that serve a person from birth to death.

My son, Jayson age three, and his dog, Gangy.

My son, Jayson, at my University of South Carolina graduation 2006, Masters degree in Library and Information Science.

My son with our dog, Stussy, when she was younger. She lived to be 15 years old.

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