After 24 years, Joan Holzer closes the library chapter of her life
By David F. Rooney
Joan Holzer called it a day on Friday, closing a 24-year-long chapter of her life at the Okanagan Regional Library.
Libraries and their custodians are important in our culture. They maintain what are essentially temples of literacy and they work hard to inculcate that literacy in children and adults.
24 years. That’s a long time and for many people in Revelstoke Joan Holzer is probably the only head librarian they have known. Certainly they love and respect her as was evident by the scores of people who came to pay their respects and help her celebrate her final day on the job.
Personally, I always looked forward to seeing Joan, and her co-workers, whenever I dropped by the library, usually two or three times a week.
Joan, you will be missed.
Head Librarian Joan Holzer didn’t shed a tear during the retirement party thrown for her on her last day of work on Friday, but she certainly came close as you can see in this photo of her with her husband, Paolo, mother Candy Endrizzi and daughter, Amy. Dozens of appreciative library patrons attended the party at the Okanagan Regional Library. David F. Rooney photoThe party was organized by former library staff — Gerri Farren, Mary McAskill and Mary Doebert — and current staff members Lucie Bergeron, Zoe Knuff and Susan Knight. David F. RooneyEven Joan’s Boss, Monica Gaucher (center beside Joan) attended and provoked laughter with her alphabetical list of Joan’s best characteristics. David F. Rooney photoKathy Bracken produced this delicious cake for Joan’s last day at work. David F. Rooney photoGerri Farren presented Joan with a gold watch that doesn;t work so she doesn’t have to worry about being on time. David F. Rooney photoJoan has a “thing” about rubber bands so Zoe presented her with a book bag made entirely out of the elastic doodads. David F. Rooney photoThere was some light-hearted dancing with staff members, including Library Page Jacqueline Cottingham. David F. Rooney photoThe dancing swiftly evolved into clapping and dancing throughout the crowd that attended the retirement party. David F. Rooney photoAnd, of course, the cake was finally cut and served to party-goers. David F. Rooney photo
