The library honored Cookie Smith for her service, which began in 1966.
Bruton Memorial Library held its inaugural Library Volunteer Recognition Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 21.
Director of Library Services Tonda Morris presented awards of appreciation to longtime volunteers, Friends of the Library members and the Library Board.
“We appreciate the way the whole community supports us,” Morris said.
Members of the City Commission, including City Manager Mike Herr, also were present for the ceremony.
“We truly have a great community asset here, no question about it,” Herr said. “They do wonderful things for the community.”
Following the ceremony and a catered breakfast by Fred’s Market, Morris unveiled the name for the library’s new reading room.
Based off of a similar room at Dunedin Public Library, the Library Board agreed in July that Bruton’s existing reading room should be made into a more private space. The room will be enclosed by a glass wall. The reading room, which will double as a conference room, will get new paint, replaceable carpet squares and lightweight furniture. The cost for the new additions are estimated at $50,000.
After the volunteer breakfast, Morris announced that the reading room will be dubbed the Marion Cook “Cookie” Smith Reading/Conference Room. Smith, who has been a volunteer at Bruton Memorial Library since 1966, also was named Volunteer of the Year. Smith was presented with a certificate and, fittingly, a cookie jar.
“She always has that big smile on her face and she’s willing to do anything for us,” Morris said.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
LIBRARY RECOGNITION
The following individuals were recognized at the breakfast for their service to Bruton Memorial Library:
Shelby Bender
James Blake
Felicia Broome
Gene Brummitt, founder of the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore
Jim Chancey
Margaret Coggeshall
Kim Hamilton
Susan Hardin
Felix Haynes
David Miller
Michelle Monteleon
Sherrie Mueller
Shirley Robertson
Freda Sallee
Cookie Smith, Volunteer of the Year
Mac Smith
Marion Smith
Tom Theoni
Selinda Walden
Phyllis Westlake
Roy Wise
