Library thanks Martin for her years of service

Martha Dinwiddie, left, honors Pat Martin, right for Martin's longtime service to the Bullard Community Library.

On Saturday more than forty adults and children gathered at the Bullard Community Library to thank Pat Martin, retiring Board President for her years of service.

The event was hosted by Friends of the library. The children also celebrated the beginning of the library's summer reading program, "Sail Away with Books."

Karen Padrucco helped the children make sailor hats for their voyage into the literary waters.

Martha Dinwiddie, board yreasurer, talked with the children about Martin's work at the library as a board member, fund-raiser, literacy volunteer, and friend of the children. Two of Martin's former students and members of her family were present to celebrate the occasion.

Martin's tenure as a board member dates back to 1980. She became President of the Board in 1995.

In recent years, in cooperation with the Literacy Council of Tyler, Martin faithfully coordinated adult literacy and GED tutoring at the library.

Martin says that she is hoping and praying that energetic, new leadership will come forward to lead the library.

"We need someone with a vision for the future to give the capital campaign new impetus," she said.

Since the campaign began in 2004, under Martin's leadership, it has developed a campaign strategy, formulated plans for the new building, secured land for the site from the city of Bullard, and raised over $330,000.

The 1.6 million dollar campaign will finance a 10,000 square foot building and an endowment fund of $500,000 for the upkeep of the library in future years.

When asked about the most satisfying activities in her many years of service to the library, Martin said, "The increase in the number of children in the summer reading program is very gratifying.

Also my years of working with ESL and GED students meant a lot to me."

"I don't take credit for all that has been done. The volunteers and other key people in the community who have given so much to keep the library going are the ones who deserve credit, " she said.