CHESTERTON | More than three decades of service will come to a close this year for a longtime Westchester Public Library leader.
Assistant Director Jane Walsh-Brown has announced her retirement after 36 years.
Walsh-Brown was hired for the dual position of librarian and technical services librarian for the Hageman branch in 1975. She was promoted to assistant director in 1979 and named curator of the Westchester Township History Museum when it opened in 1996.
"It was all I hoped it would be, great co-workers and library board, and the chance to serve a wide variety of friendly and welcoming patrons in two beautiful new buildings," Walsh-Brown said.
As part of her departure, Walsh-Brown has curated her last exhibit, My Favorite Things: A Retirement Exhibit, which runs through Dec. 31 at the museum.
"It gave me a chance to look over the collection. It wasn't easy, but it was fun," Walsh-Brown said.
The exhibit contains items from the 55 temporary exhibitions Walsh-Brown has been a part of since the museum opened, including textiles, clothing, paintings, etchings, maps, photos and historical objects.
"Some of the objects I have chosen are special to me because of their beauty and importance or because I have fond memories of their donors," she said. "Other objects bring back memories of favorite past projects or exhibits. Still others are rare, one-of-a-kind artifacts that tell a special story of the development of Westchester Township."
Walsh-Brown hopes to spend time with her husband, Jim, son Colin, and daughter-in-law Bonnie, as well as other family and friends but will return to volunteer at the museum from time to time, perhaps in her popular role portraying Charity Brown at fundraisers and during a special project to help organize the Westchester Public Library archives.
Walsh-Brown will be honored in a retirement reception at the museum from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to attend and meet Serena Sutliff, who will succeed Walsh-Brown as curator Jan. 1.
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