Soon a new voice will answer the reference line at the Garrettsville Branch of the Portage County District Library. Reference Librarian Barbara Biltz will mark Dec. 22 as her last day behind the reference desk.
As the reference librarian since 1992, Biltz has witnessed many changes during her time at the Garrettsville Library, including the changeover from using a card catalog to having an online computer catalog.
Before being employed at the library, she was a substitute teacher for the James A. Garfield Schools and taught first-grade students at Crestwood West in 1968. In addition to her work in the schools, she performed children's Storytimes when she subbed for the Hiram Library's Bookmobile.
Biltz has enjoyed the many challenges of answering reference questions at the Garrettsville Library, but said she feels it's time to pass along the reference reins to someone new.
"The community has received efficient, reliable reference help from Barb for decades," said Branch Manager Kathleen Kozup. "Library staff and patrons will miss her pleasant assistance. We wish her many years of happy retirement."
Although she does not have any specific plans for her retirement, Biltz said she is looking forward to having some free time on her hands, to enjoy special interests and activities. "I didn't make any plans for retirement," she said. "Whatever happens, happens. I'm sure I will be as busy as ever."
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