Shelburne Library recognizes decades of service from retiring employee, Beverley Ford-Arnold

The Shelburne Public Library team is bidding farewell to one of our cherished colleagues, Beverly Ford-Arnold. Beverly has made the bittersweet decision to retire after 36 years with the Shelburne Public Library. Thirty-six years is not only an incredible accomplishment but a testament to Beverly's love for the local library and the community as a whole.

Since first being appointed to the board in 1990, Beverly has left her mark on the library through her heartfelt dedication to its mission and ongoing efforts to foster its development as a community hub. 

As one of her early career highlights, Beverly played a pivotal role in the 2004 expansion of the library. 

From supporting fundraising initiatives, such as the team's Toll Booth initiative that raised $6,000 in one day, to sitting on the building committee, helping run a satellite library and eventually opening the new and expanded library, Beverly was involved at every step of the planning process. She helped ensure the facility maintained its historic Carnegie architecture while creating a modern space to serve the community for generations to come.

With her passionate energy, Beverly would go on to continue supporting major fundraising activities for the library, including the much-loved Holiday Home Tour and the annual Silent Auction.

Inspired by her time on the Shelburne Library Board, Beverly, a former lawyer, pursued her Library Information Technician Diploma with the goal of one day working in the library. After 25 years on the Board, Beverly resigned in 2014 and joined the library team as secretary to the Board in 2015.   

When asked to share a few words, Beverly said, “I think libraries are such an essential part of every society, and I firmly believe that without them, society as a whole would suffer. With online misinformation so readily available, there has to be a safe place where the ability to find facts and the truth should be accessible.”

The Shelburne Public Library team is immensely proud of all Beverly has accomplished and grateful for all she has taught us along the way –– about the library and life in general.

Drop in to the library for a tea and to wish Beverly farewell this Saturday, Aug. 22 anytime between 11 to 2 p.m.

This weekly column is written by the team at the Shelburne Public Library.