It is the end of a valued tenure for the Bracebridge Public Library.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Cathryn Rodney, has announced she will retire in June 2021. Rodney has been CEO for 15 years and joined the library in 2006.
Cathryn graduated with an honour’s BA degree from the University of Western Ontario (1981) and managed a bookstore for several years before returning to Western for a Master of Library Science degree (1985). Over the past 35 years, Cathryn has gained experience as a Children’s Librarian, Reference Librarian, Seniors’ Services Librarian and Branch & Bookmobile Supervisor in several communities and finally, as Library CEO in Bracebridge (2006).
Mayor Graydon Smith commended the job Rodney has done. “On behalf of Council, I wish Cathryn well in her retirement, but of course am sorry to see her go. Her dedication not only to the Library but to the entire community of Bracebridge has been exceptional and will be missed.” Current Board Chair Barb Hutchinson praised Cathryn for her considerable expertise as she champions the public library and what it means for our community wherever she goes. The Library continues to represent a critical hub of the community and is never more important and relevant as this global pandemic has shown us. Cathryn and her staff have been able to adjust their core delivery model as the physical doors have been forced to close at times as they continue to provide the community with valuable support, programs and services.
Rodney introduced some important initiatives that helped shape the library’s growth. Within 6 months of her arrival in 2006, staff were thrust into a year of extensive planning in anticipation of the Library’s Centennial in the architecturally unique Carnegie Library building on Manitoba St. in Bracebridge’s historic downtown. In addition to regular services and programs, staff presented a major event each month in 2008. It should not be surprising that staff expressed some exhaustion as the year closed since the Library’s employees consisted then of 2 full-time staff and 11 part-time staff. She is pleased that over the years, the staff complement has increased to 6 full-time and 8 part-time. This has enabled her staff to increase their workload and has led to a great assortment of programs over the years. Cathryn and her staff continue to innovate as the Library takes many of its offerings to the web and beyond.
Town CAO Steve Rettie offered praise on behalf of the staff at the Town of Bracebridge as he wishes Cathryn a happy, well-earned retirement. “Cathryn’s contributions to the Library are immeasurable and Bracebridge has benefitted considerably from her skillset and knowledge in delivering excellent library services.”
The Library Board is actively engaged in the recruitment of a new CEO over the coming months. A detailed job posting can be found on the Library’s website www.bracebridgelibrary.ca . See posting for application instructions; deadline is April 28, 2021.