A Garden Grown Together: A Farewell to the Bethel Library from our Library Director

by Kelcy Arciga, outgoing Library Director

As I prepare to leave my role as the Director of the Bethel Library, I find myself reflecting on the past four years. There have been so many patrons and programs, books, and board meetings, summer reading and story times, and they’ve all culminated in making my time here so significant. 

Since we live in a small town, some of you may have already heard that my family and I will soon be moving on to a new adventure.

I still remember arriving at the library as the director for the first time. It was autumn, September even! Crisp, colorful, changing leaves mirrored how I was feeling, both excited and nervous about what this new chapter might bring. I was beginning a new job, but I was also becoming part of a community I had yet to really know. 

But it did not take long for that to change.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of getting to know the people who make this community—and this library—so special. From our patrons and volunteers to our dedicated Board of Trustees, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, parents, teachers, and the children who bring their curiosity and energy through our doors. I have been continually inspired by these people who support and strengthen this library.

During my time here, I’ve often thought of the library as a garden.  The library collection needs weeding to grow. I arrived to find a strong foundation, soil rich in nutrients, already in place, built and cared for by librarians, staff, and trustees who came before me. My role was to help tend what was already here, cultivate new seeds of ideas, and encourage continued growth, and I hoped what we planted would blossom. 

Together, we have expanded programs and services, developed new partnerships, welcomed new visitors, and continued to find ways for the library to serve as a place for learning, creativity, and connection. From story times and take-and-make crafts to collaborations with the local schools and community organizations, each initiative has been made possible by the patrons who participated, contributed, and supported the library along the way.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at the library has been watching more and more people make the library part of their lives. Over the past four years, library visitation has increased by 73 percent. While that number is certainly worth celebrating, it represents much more than growth on paper. Behind every visit is a person discovering a new book, attending a program, connecting with a neighbor, bringing a child to story time, or simply finding a welcoming place to spend time.

The library's growth has been a collective effort. It reflects the support of our community and the dedication of our staff, trustees, volunteers, partners, and patrons. I am proud to have played a role in that growth, but I know the library's continued success belongs to everyone who believes in its value and contributes to its future.

During this same chapter of my life, my own family grew as well. I got married and welcomed my son into the world. It has been particularly meaningful to watch him grow alongside the library community—exploring the children's area in the library, discovering books, and making friends. (Or maybe you’ve heard him playing dino in the stacks!) The library has become part of his early childhood, just as this community has become an important part of our family's story.

This is what makes saying goodbye so difficult.

My family and I will soon be moving to Ireland to begin our next chapter. While we are excited for the opportunities and experiences ahead, leaving this community is not easy. I will carry with me the friendships, memories, and experiences that have shaped my time here.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who welcomed me, supported me, and contributed to the library during my time as director. It has been a privilege to serve this community and to work alongside so many dedicated people. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and have great confidence in the library's future.

A library is much more than its building or any one individual who works within it. Its strength comes from the people who walk through its doors, borrow its books, attend its programs, share their ideas, volunteer their time, and support its mission.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of this community and the Bethel Library's story.

Although it is difficult to say goodbye, I leave with tremendous gratitude and many wonderful memories. I look forward to following the library's continued growth from afar and seeing all that will continue to blossom in the years ahead.