Retired librarian helps out schools

What's a retired librarian to do when she hears that the local elementary school needs volunteers? Sign up and volunteer, of course.

"I love the kids and I love books, so it was a natural for me," Gen Ivie said one afternoon while helping David Hewitt's third-graders check out books at Sisters Elementary School.

Ivie was a longtime librarian at Mapleton High School, even though she never earned a library science degree. She moved from Florence to Sisters nearly three years ago to be closer to her children. Her daughter, Pam Cole, is a first-grade teacher at Sisters Elementary School and Ivie has a son living in Sunriver.

Soon after arriving in Sisters, the self-proclaimed bookworm volunteered to be a SMART reader. When she learned the elementary school needed a librarian this year, however, she couldn't pass up the chance to help.

While assisting a third-grader recently, Ivie bent down to ask her name. "Nancy, that's a nice name," she told the student. She asked other children about their book selections and commented on their good behavior.

Checking out books today "is so much simpler than when I was in school," Ivie said while scanning a student's barcode number and then the book's barcode. The 78-year-old remembers using a card catalog system before computers kept track of books.

Ivie says she has a computer at home, but "It's a lot for me to learn, because it's been a long time since I've been in school."

Marie Phillips, media manager for the middle and elementary schools, said Ivie is catching on quickly, and Phillips is grateful for the help. With the budget cuts this school year, Phillips is dividing her time between the elementary and middle school libraries as well as spending part of each day as the elementary school attendance secretary.

In order to fill the time when Phillips isn't in the libraries, she has asked for volunteers. She currently has about 18 people helping at both libraries. Some volunteers spend 30 minutes a week; others, like Ivie, spend several hours.

Phillips is still in need of helpers so all hours can be filled at both schools. She said the middle school library is locked when an adult isn't present. Those interested in volunteering at either library can contact Phillips at [email protected] or call the elementary school at 549-8981.

All volunteers are required to have a background check through the district office before helping out at the schools.

Phillips also welcomes book donations for either library since buying books is not in this year's budget. The Scholastic Book Fair will start at both the middle and elementary schools October 19, and any money made at the middle school will be used for the middle school library. Money from the elementary school fair will go toward the fourth-grade field trip that takes place in May.

Other volunteers at Sisters Elementary School library are: Shirley V.; Tammy Tewalt; Sandi Melchiori; Miki McFadden; and Gary Stein.