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Memories of Beth Marie
Beth Marie had a relationship with the State Library before
she ever officially worked here. In 2002
she served on an advisory committee to revise the Iowa Certification Program
for Public Librarians. Any committee
would be fortunate to have Beth Marie on it.
She always did her part, offering well thought out suggestions and ideas,
and always following through on what she promised to do.
Prior to working at the State Library, Beth Marie administered FirstSearch for the State Library through a contract with her employer, Central Iowa Library Service Area. She was knowledgeable, thorough, accurate and provided excellent customer service to the FirstSearch libraries. Although it was not in the contract, Beth Marie provided training on FirstSearch and refused payment for it.
Beth Marie helped write the script for and performed in the skit at some of the 2003 Town Meetings, Survivors in the Information Age (a take off of the TV show, Survivor). She played one of my favorite Town Meeting characters, Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. Sheena was described as “the director of the Savage Public Library where she displays quite a dominating presence. Sheena’s animal magnetism is an asset in her dealings with problem customers. Sheena was instrumental in installing three cats at her library.” Beth Marie played the part to the hilt, appearing in an animal print costume and pith helmet and cracking a whip as she made her entrance.
Just like in 2003, Beth Marie’s thespian gifts also made our 2007 Town Meetings skit a big hit. She made her character, Wilhemina, hilarious, and yet real and sympathetic. This character was described as “age 75, board member for 35 years, former school teacher, widowed, luddite…” Wearing white gloves and a matching spotted fur hat, purse and scarf, Wilhemina drew hoots of laughter from each Town Meeting audience with her comments about the good old days. In addition to acting in the skit, Beth Marie also played a key role in drafting the script.
When Beth Marie joined the State Library staff in 2007, we knew we were gaining a respected and talented colleague. She literally walked in her first day and started working. She knew exactly what to do even though she had never worked here. Beth Marie took on E-rate (having studied up on it before she started the job), the school library survey, library databases and discounts, and grants available to libraries. She performed all of her work at the State Library with great skill, kindness and good humor.
The longer she worked here, the more we realized what a true treasure she was. As the program at her funeral said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…”
Sandy Dixon
Program Director, Library Development, State Library
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