Library volunteers recognized at luncheon
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- Luncheon at the Paso Robles Senior Center
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- Librarian Heather Stephenson with Volunteer-of the Year Shirley Gray.
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- Library volunteer of the year plaque.
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- Mayor-elect Steve Martin speaks to the luncheon attendees.
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- Skip Dodd prepares a barbecue luncheon for library volunteers.
Shirley Gray named ‘Volunteer of the Year’
Fifty-eight volunteers turned out for the 15th Annual Paso Robles Library Volunteers Appreciation Luncheon held Sunday afternoon at the Senior Center on Scott Street in Paso Robles.
Librarian Heather Stephenson introduced Shirley Gray as Volunteer of the Year. A retired educator of 30 years, Gray began her service to the Paso Robles City Library back when the library was still in the Carnegie building. She has been an incredible asset to the library every day since.
Gray spends close to forty hours each month tirelessly keeping the shelves of the children’s section of the library organized. She truly goes above and beyond in every way keeping the books clean, making sure they are on the correct shelf in the right order and creating attractive displays on the end of each shelf. She trains new volunteers and is an incredibly important part of the library in so many ways.
“This is the 13th year the library has presented a Library Volunteer of the Year Award
and we couldn’t be happier to honor Shirley for her many years of service,” said Children’s Services Librarian Heather Stephenson. “Shirley is one of many volunteers who keep the Paso Robles Library running smoothly and make it a special place. Having Shirley on the children’s library team has made a huge difference for those of us who are lucky enough to work with her and for everyone who uses the children’s area of the Paso Robles Library. Shirley works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that each book is exactly where it should be (a daunting job for sure!). When she’s not working to organize our shelves she’s often at home reading one of our new children’s book offerings so that she can stay current on our materials. Shirley is an exceptional, incredibly hard working and dedicated volunteer and we are so very lucky and grateful to have her help.”
Julie Silva Dahlen, the Director of Library and Recreation Services, thanked the volunteers. Volunteer coordinator Suzanne Robitaille praised their efforts. Mayor-elect Steve Martin talked about volunteerism in Paso Robles. Lester Rougeot and his posse barbecued for the luncheon. Librarian Don Rader poured wine and shared his dry humor.
Previous winners of this honor are Jean Schubert, 2002; Janine Kramer, 2003; Audrey
Krauss 2004; Ann Martinez, 2005; Denise Surber, 2006; Joan Case, 2007; Mike Reagan,
2008; Cappy Culver, 2009; Nan Madding, 2010; Bill Dupree, 2011; Jean Schweitzer, 2012; and Nancy Stephens, 2013. Shirley’s name has been added to the perpetual plaque in the library.
The annual volunteer reception recognizes the 120-plus Library volunteers and the 16,000-plus hours they contribute each year in pursuit of excellence in library service.
