After 31 years as the Director of Washington County Library System, Kay Clanton is saying goodbye to a place she has grown to love.
Clanton has been with the library system for the last 40 years and retired Friday.
Clanton started out as the head of the adult service/reference department and transition to the directors position.
Clanton was inspired by her aunt, who is also a librarian,.
“She worked for the state department of education and she helped to put libraries in schools across that,” Clanton said. of her aunt. “I just thought that was the coolest job ever.”
Clanton received her bachelors degree in history from the University of Central Arkansas. She went on to work at a school library for two years in Bald Knob, Arkansas.
After working there for two years, she went on to receive her masters degree in library and information science from the University of Missouri in Columbia.
One of Clanton’s achievements was leading the way for the library’s transition from card catalog to a digital, online catalog.
“It was the longest process I have experienced,” she said, noting the value the new system has on patron’s experience at the library.
“I’m going to miss so many things about the library, but I think the interactions with people and participating in the summer reading program are my favorite,” Clanton said. “Those memories are going to stick with me forever.”
