By By Janet Little Cooper
The Atmore Public Library Board of Directors, the Friends of the Library Board members, and the library staff hosted a retirement party for Joyce Bolden on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005.
Mrs. Bolden has been serving as the librarian for the Atmore Public Library since 1975.
Monday, Dec. 5, 2005 will be her last official day of work in her 30 years of service.
"I couldn't have done any of this without the support of my board and my excellent staff," Mrs. Bolden said. "I think we have made some pretty good decisions together. I wanted this building to be a reflection of this city and I believe it has, now it is time for me to move on."
Mrs. Bolden was elated with the appearance of her husband of 50 years, Ray and children, Randy, Debbie and Cindy, who were brought in as a surprise to help her celebrate. Her family also presented their mother with a portrait of her among the books she loved, in the form of an oil painting. The portrait will be placed in the library along with past librarians.
"Atmore Public Library will always be associated with this friend that I met in a 1975 board meeting," Library Board Member, Dot Faircloth said, "She is a person anyone can always get along with. "
George Roberts also recognized Mrs. Bolden with a plaque congratulating her on her successful 30 years of service with the city.
Bishop Lyons, who has served on the library board for 29 years, presided over the reception thanking Mrs. Bolden for her many years of dedication and service to the library and her many contributions throughout the community.
Mr. Lyons has resigned from his position of Board Chairman effective in January 2006. He and Mrs. Bolden have worked together for those 29 years and he regrets her leaving, but at the same time understands.
"She was a wonderful person to work with, but we have both reached this time in our life to move on," Bishop Lyons said. "My doctor's were encouraging me to step down, my pastor and my wife. I am involved in so many things. I am chairman of Deacons Greater Mount Triumph Missionary Baptist Church, sing in the male chorus and teach a senior men's Sunday school class. I'm also involved in United Fund, Red Cross and the Chamber of Commerce. It was just time."
Atmore has been home to a library since 1917, operating out of numerous facilities. Under Bolden's leadership the library made huge strides in an effort to provide a broader range of service to the community.
Mrs. Bolden is looking forward to what she calls a 'spiritual renewal' in her life as she walks away from a lifetime of being surrounded by her love for books.