BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
Members of the Union County community came out to bid goodbye to long-time Union County Public Library Director at a special ceremony/retirement party held at the library on Tues. June 24, 2024.
The library was closed for the event, and a large area was cleared to accommodate the seating of the participants. About 70 people attended, including several local officials. An expansive table of finger foods and drinks was set out for attendees, complete with a retirement cake.
Union County Commissioner Channing Dobbs opened the ceremony, discussing growing up with Brown always at the library. He said “she was the library” to him and many other children in the county. He also spoke about her impact on the community during her tenure.
“She impacted so many young lives in her time here,” Dobbs said. “Nothing a person does in life even comes close to having a positive impact on children, and she did that every day.”
Dobbs said he had never heard a single complaint about Brown from the public during her 30 years there.
Dobbs then got to pull the rabbit out of the hat – the surprise planned for the event and the commemoration of Brown’s retirement. At its last meeting, the Union County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to rename the library the “Mary C. Brown Public Library” in honor of her service. County Attorney Russ Wade read the proclamation declaring the change and citing her many contributions to the library, then four of the five county commissioners (with Donna Jackson unable to attend due to work obligations) were on hand to present Brown with a bronze plaque declaring the new name.
Many people in the audience were wiping tears as a line of people came to the podium to praise Brown and share their favorite memories. Some of these memories brought smiles and chuckles, but many also brought tears from Brown, her staff, and many in the audience.
New Union County Public Library Director Pritti McNutt, who has served under Brown as assistant director since 2005, came to the podium to present Brown with a retirement gift from the library staff and volunteers – a quilt handmade by resident Janis Peterson, made of 12 years of library summer program t-shirts.
McNutt went on to relate some of her history at the library, working with Brown. She said she needed a job after high school, so she applied at the library and was hired (2001).
“I have worked with Mary for 23 years, and she has helped me through so many personal and career issues,” McNutt said. “Thank you, Mary, for pushing me and making me achieve through an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree. You were always there to support me. You always stood up for the library staff and always focused on the community and people we serve. It has been an honor to work with and for you these past years.”
The testimonials and thanks (and tears) continued, and then Brown came to the podium to speak.
“I am incredibly humbled by this show of love,” Brown said. “Leaving is one of the hardest things I will ever do. I feel so honored in such a profound way. This library has truly been a community effort, as well as one by the wonderful staff members I have been lucky to have over the years. It should not just be my name on the plaque, but all of yours as well.”
Brown thanked the county officials, community, the board of commissioners, friends, family, and library staff and talked about her years working with McNutt. She concluded her comments before inviting all to the buffet,
“This is the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one,” Brown said, “and I am so happy that I have gotten to be part of the story.”
