ELDRED, NY — There are many elements that make a library an inviting place to visit. For some, it is the selection of books; for others, the accessibility of computers or other technical devices. For still others, it is a comfortable place to simply park one’s body and expand one’s mind. 

Patty Kennedy has thoughtfully and lovingly overseen all of the elements that make the Sunshine Hall Free Library in Eldred a place to relax and grow. This soon-to-be-retired library director is a fixture in the little town, and her winsome ways and attention to the needs of patrons will be sorely missed as she completes her tenure as library director after nearly 18 years. 

A longtime resident of Yulan, Patty and her husband Ed play prominent roles in the community where they raised their daughter, Kathleen. Ed has been Patty’s greatest cheerleader throughout her various careers and Kathleen was one of many volunteers at the library who would help keep things running smoothly, until she married and moved to Texas. 

Although at the time she had no formal training in library work, Patty brought to the position a strong background in technology, skills in crafts and a strong interest in reading. This background provided the building blocks for guiding the library through expansive changes in technology, the establishment of reading programs for young and old alike, the hosting of a variety of adult-oriented programs and seminars, and the overseeing of a vibrant children’s story and craft time. 

She has been responsible for a collection of 20,000 books that are ready to be checked out to the area’s 5,000 residents—1,000 of whom are esteemed members of the library by way of their library card. When sharing these statistics, ever promoting the library, Patty said that one of the easiest ways to support the library is to become a card-carrying member. This is because the number of cards issued by a library is one of the bases for the allocation of federal and state funds, which are crucial to the ongoing operations of libraries, particularly small ones. 

Patty is quick to give credit to those who have worked with her through the years, crediting the library board, the Friends of the Library group, her cadre of dedicated volunteers and the public for making the library the hub that it is in the town. She has been known to literally chase down townspeople with special skills whose expertise can add to the library experience. Most recently, she talked a willing Bob Grimm into using his years of experience with Frontier Communications to reconnect the Wi-Fi system after it had been disconnected following a building renovation. Without Grimm’s assistance at that moment, the library’s three public computers would have been idle, when as a rule each one is in near-constant use during the library’s hours of operation.

She is not shy about asking people to lend their expertise, prefacing each request with “It’s for the library.” Patty is a difficult person to say no to. 

She has acted as general contractor on many facility improvements through the years, from new siding, resurfacing the parking lot, the construction of a beautiful deck at the edge of the babbling Halfway Brook, wood-floor refinishing, the addition of informational signs and the many, many maintenance challenges that come with keeping an old building operating. 

When asked what work-related accomplishment made her most proud, she noted the creation of the Book Walk at Circle Park in Lumberland. This project, established during the dark days of the COVID shutdown, brought reading out-of-doors, where young people can combine the joy of a good story with nature at its best. 

As people learned of Patty’s plan to step down as director, the accolades began to pour in. Mary Paige Lang-Clouse, who was the board president at the time of Patty’s hiring and serves as current director of the Monticello library, said that from the first interview, Patty stood out among the other candidates. “The board knew they wanted her, and through all of the challenges of running a library, she has never disappointed.” 

In a thematic fashion, board member Laura Burrell referred to Patty as the spine of the library, with a well-organized Dewey Decimal system. She also noted that with the board’s blessing, Patty oversaw the establishment of a paid internship program that has given young readers a chance to write their own professional stories. 

Kari Margolis stated that at her first board meeting, Patty’s good humor, generosity and dedication to the library’s patrons drew her in, and that it has been a complete joy to work alongside Patty and experience how much she has helped to make Sunshine Hall a welcoming place. 

Current board president Sarah Mitchell echoed the praise, calling Patty a dedicated and wonderful person to work with, noting that her commitment to the library and its patrons has been absolute. 

Patty was honored for her years of service and devotion at an open house held on the aforementioned deck, on a cool, blustery Sunday, in which the steady rains of the preceding days finally paused. It was fitting that for the hours of the party, sunshine broke through the shadows of the Sunshine Hall Library. The well-attended event gave patrons the opportunity to express their thanks for Patty’s years of dedication and friendship. 

The day was declared to be “Patty Kennedy Day” in the Town of Highland by Town Board proclamation. 

After several gifts were bestowed and remarks given, former board member Richard Quinn shared his memory of the day Patty was interviewed for the position. Said he, “As with most interviews, at its conclusion each of the three candidates was asked if they had any questions. Unlike the usual ones regarding working conditions, Patty forthrightly asked ‘Do I have the job?’” Quinn quipped, “Saying ‘Yes’ was the right response to such a candid question.”