Garwin librarian Lola Slingluff was bid a fond farewell during her retirement Open House. She took time to sit at her desk one last time for a photo. Slingluff has been the face of the Garwin Public Library for the last 14 years. –Photo courtesy of Susan Heldenbrand

The Garwin Public Library family and friends said a fond farewell to librarian Lola Slingluff as an Open House was held to honor her retirement. Lola summed up her position as she stated, “I just love reading!”

After nearly 14 years of being the friendly face of the Garwin Public Library, Lola Slingluff checked out her last book to local patrons earlier this month. A lot has changed in the years since she started part-time at the library before becoming full-time in 2011.

The library was still in the tiny location on the west end of Main Street when Lola started working there.

“We were coming home from the casino and I stopped in to see if they needed help,” she recounted. “I don’t know why, but I just thought I’d see [if they needed help].”

It was purely by accident that she found her dream job.

Garwin librarian Lola Slingluff and her family gather for a photo during the Open House held in honor of Lola's retirement recently. Pictured (l-r): Jake Wrage, Alley Wrage, Luke Wrage, Amy Wrage, Randy Wrage, Lola Slingluff, Sam Slingluff, Amy Slingluff, Keith Slingluff, Addison Slingluff. Front row (l-r): great-grandchildren Ridley, Jaxon, Watson and Ryden Wrage. –Photo courtesy of Susan Heldenbrand

“If I’d known being a librarian was this fun, I’d have been a librarian since I was 21!”

Lola’s love of reading has shown in her passion to see the library prosper.

“My family hauled bookcases from the old Ames library back here,” she explained. “We hadn’t moved in to this building yet, but the school let us store those here.”

And she has done quite a job keeping those shelves filled.

“I love getting to buy the new books. I can find barely used ones from Amazon and they’re $10 cheaper than brand new. No one can tell the difference. Plus then I have more money left over to get more books!”

“When I started, we used to have just one computer and you had a half-hour time slot to use it.” So she set to work writing grants. Along with donations from the “coffee ladies,” Women’s Club, and various other donors, the library grew. Now there are half a dozen computers, a touch screen for the little ones, and a movie area.

“We really do have all the things a big library has.”

Over the years, she has worked hard to make the library a place for everyone to feel welcome and safe.

“We started calling these Danny’s Cupboards” Lola shares, which were named in honor of an area teen and library-goer who passed away suddenly in 2015. Those cupboards are packed with snack food and crafts – lots of crafts supplies.

“We paint, make flowerpots, all sorts of crafts. I just want the kids to know there is a safe place and try to keep them out of trouble.”

During the pandemic, Lola’s routine plans were forced to change. She had to be creative to keep serving the community.

“I delivered books for the last year and a half.”

Now in retirement, she has big plans, too.

“I’m babysitting and reading to my great-grandkids. I’m going to miss this place, but maybe the new librarian will hire me on as her assistant.”