HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2009-48the city ✓f
KENAI, ALASKA
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2009 -48
Suggested by: Council
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, IN MEMORY OF
EMILY DE FOREST AND COMMENDING HER CONTRIBUTIONS AND COMMITMENTS
TO THE CITY OF KENAI AND KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY.
WHEREAS, Emily DeForest began her association at the Kenai Community Library as
a volunteer and was hired by the Library Board (now the Friends of the Library) in
July, 1971, became a City of Kenai employee in July, 1972 upon the city's taking over
the library, and retired in 1999, after 25 -plus years of service to the City of Kenai; and,
WHEREAS, in 1972, Emily's staff consisted of herself and one part -time employee,
along with a myriad of volunteers and by 1999, Emily, along with approximately eight
full and part -time employees, staffed the library with still a myriad of volunteers
some of whom were volunteers in 1972 and before; and,
WHEREAS, in 1972, the original library building, with a square footage of 1,680 held
approximately 11,595 volumes of books and library materials and by 1999, the
present library building, constructed in 1975 and expanded in 1985, held
approximately 67,000 volumes of books and library materials in its 10,380 square feet
of space; and,
WHEREAS, in 1972 Emily and her staff served approximately 6,500 cardholders,
compared with approximately 10,000 at the time of her retirement; and,
WHEREAS, in 25 -plus years of service to our community from Sterling to Ninilchik to
Nikiski, Emily held the fort by encouraging growth; improving equipment (starting out
with one rickety old surplus manual typewriter, an adding machine, pencils and card
files and upgrading to personal computers, computerized automation systems, and
Internet access); went head -to -head with city managers and councils to increase staff
and hours; and, expanded reading programs to include pre school story hours, lap
time story time, summer reading programs, and a mystery lovers' program, just to
name a few; and,
WHEREAS, upon her retirement in 1999, Emily continued her association with the
Kenai Community Library through appointment to the Library Commission,
membership with the Friends of the Library, financial support of the library through
sales (and her own purchases) of raffle tickets, and constant promotion of libraries
and the freedoms they offer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, that it extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Emily DeForest and
joins her many friends and acquaintances in mourning our community's loss.
Resolution No. 2009 -48
Page 2 of 2
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this fifth day of August,
2009.
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
PAT PORTER, MAYOR