The next chapter excites librarian
Friday was the last day at the Manvel Library for branch librarian Kathryn Klentzman.
After 26 years, she retired to travel and to join her husband, Robert, who retired seven years ago and has a job jar at home.
My husband and I plan to take a trip to Alaska, said Klentzman, who explained that a staff member recently returned from a similar trip. She brought back wonderful pictures and I thought it looked really good.
Serving as interim branch librarian will be Geri Swanzy, the branchs childrens specialist, said Lisa Loranc, assistant library director, Brazoria County Library System.
The search for a branch librarian will begin within the library system. If no one is interested or if there are no qualified candidates, the position would be posted externally statewide for a branch librarian, Loranc said.
She doesnt think the position will be filled right away. She anticipated a six- to eight-week search process. The position requires a minimum of a bachelors degree plus library and management experience. The salary range for the position is $34,000 to $52,000.
With a monthly circulation of 9,000 items, the Manvel Branch is one of the busiest branches, Loranc said.
Kathryn was a valued and valuable employee. She will be difficult to replace and will be sorely missed, said Loranc, adding that Klentzman gave great service to the community.
Manvel Mayor Delores M. Martin said, Kathryn has placed our library front and center in Brazoria County. She is a very special lady.
That opinion is shared by Liz Harris, a member of the Manvel Community Library Association. Harris has known Klentzman as long as shes been at the library.
Every spring the library system hosts an authors dinner, said Harris, and each branch supplies a basket for a silent auction. Klentzman usually came up with some pretty good ideas for it, Harris said.
While many baskets had a feminine orientation, Klentzman said she suggested car repair and fisherman baskets.
We did our last one on Texas music, Klentzman said. It included old-fashioned instruments like kazoos, as well as CDs by various Texas performers from Van Cliburn to Janis Joplin.
It made a really neat basket, she said.
She started the branchs reading club about 13 years ago, but it was more than just a discussion group.
Harris said the members read about the 1915 hurricane that hit Galveston.
They then took a trip to Galveston to view a film about the hurricane, toured the city and had lunch.
Harris said Klentzman is kind of quiet and loves football and Bruce Springsteen.
Klentzman, 69, said her favorite author is PD James, the English mystery writer.
One of her most recent favorite reads is James The Lighthouse.
Klentzman was on the library board when Lucy Turoff was the first librarian. After three years, Turoff left for another position and Klentzman thought what a wonderful job it would be to work in the library at Manvel.
I love working with the people, the community. I love books. Its just been a really great experience.
Relocated twice, the branch at 20514B Texas 6, now has 3,000 square feet and 20,000 items.
Its also famous – being filmed for the movie Powder. And, the librarys Outstanding Womens Literary Society – formerly the Older Womens Literary Society – also was featured in a mystery novel, Murder Among the OWLS, written by Bill Crider, Klentzman proudly points out. Crider lives in Alvin.
Theyre a great group and have been active for 16 years, Klentzman said.
After Klentzman takes some time off, she said she certainly will come back to share with the group.
The library is supported by the city of Manvel, which provides the building and maintenance.
Klentzman sees a bright future undimmed by the handheld devices on which people can download books.
Were offering books for the different devices, she said.
For people who receive Kindles and other E-readers, the library offers classes in which people learn to use the devices, she said.
Its just an expansion of what the library service can offer, added Klentzman.