The City of Wabasha thanked Library Director Bev Hall for her twenty years of service at the Wabasha Council Meeting today, ahead of her retirement at the end of the month. They also invited the community to a planned retirement reception on July 29^th at the Library from 2-4:30PM, with a presentation at 2pm. Hall started as a part-time librarian in 2006 and became Library Director in 2015.

“Bev has exemplified community leadership in her role as Library Director. She has masterfully partnered with the Library Board, Friends of the Library, staff, patrons. City of Wabasha and SELCO colleagues, as well as outside exhibit and programming partners and granting agencies. Her warm, collaborative style is the reason so many feel that they too are a part of the Wabasha Public Library,” said Mayor Emily Durand during the meeting.

Hall recollected what motivated her to apply to be Library Director 11 years ago.

“ When I applied to be library director, one of my goals was to have the library be more active in the community, to do more outreach, and collaboration,” she said.

Hall exceeded that goal beyond expectations during her time leading the library- forming partnerships for the first time in the library’s history with Wabasha-Kellogg Schools, the Wabasha County Historical Society, Bird City, Main Street, St. Elizabeth’s Assisted Living, Head Start, the Farmers Market, and the Wabasha County Health Department.

During Bev’s tenure, she not only expanded partnerships, but also created new programming for the library and added new collections, that embraced new technology and met the needs of library patrons. Then after participating in a rural leadership retreat called Blandin, she led a project to expand the library, so the children’s collection had an area for interactive play, books, and programing. With the help of the Library Board and the Friend of the Library, Hall completed the $350,000 project in 2017, funded almost entirely through grants and donations.

Bev Hall with Clifford in 2010

Bev Hall Reads To Children - City Of Wabasha

Bev Hall reads to children in 2010 as part of Read Across America program

But it’s asked what she will miss most about the job, it’s not just the big projects, but the quiet daily interactions with children and families.

“ I love just sitting and playing with the children or helping them find the perfect book at the library,” said Hall.

The Library Board is looking forward to celebrating Hall’s two decades of service at the library with the community on July 29th.

“ We can be very proud of our community library thanks to Bev’s vision and high standards. Not only is it beautiful and functional, it provides a safe and welcoming environment to all,” said Anne Miller, President of the Library Board.