Portage Public Library hosts volunteers appreciation luncheon, presents two awards (2024)

The Portage Public Library presented awards to two people Thursday at its second annual luncheon to recognize the work of its many volunteers throughout the past year.

“I think that volunteering does better if you appreciate people a little bit,” said library director Debbie Bird. “They are not asking for anything (in return for volunteering) but a little recognition can go a long way. ... I think they just want to know that what they’re doing matters.”

The awards — presented to Karl Kindschi, president of the library’s board of trustees, and Ellen Swan, president of the Friends of the Library board — came as a surprise to many of those in attendance.

Bird didn’t announce that she would be presenting awards for the first time this year prior to the luncheon, which was attended by about 15 of the library’s 52 volunteers.

Each year, the library directors from the 10 libraries in Columbia County nominate individuals or organizations for its advocate of the year award. The Columbia County Library Board reviews the submissions and selects a winner.

This year, Bird’s nominee, Kindschi, was was selected to receive the county-wide award.

Kindschi said while accepting the award that he was honored and surprised to be recognized and joked that Bird made him sound a lot better than he is.

“I’m very proud of serving and I’m honored to be part of the board,” said Kindschi, filled with emotion. “I’ve learned a lot about the library a little at a time and I’ve tried to do my best in the leadership as much as I could and I’ve come to love the library. ... I couldn’t be more proud of the library and I’m happy when I am able to help out.”

Bird said the library has benefitted from the service of Kindschi, who is a leader and an advocate, has immersed himself in the budget, hired multiple library directors and served as liaison to the Friends of the Library group, and participates in library programs and has been a supporter of the library’s role in the Portage community.

Kindschi also is known for his honesty, integrity, generosity, kindness, optimism, thoughtfulness and his passion, Bird said.

“The library board has benefitted from Karl’s expertise as municipal judge, as leader, local advocate, businessman, author and humanitarian,” Bird said of Kindschi. “He is one of the most positive role models and leaders that I personally know. ... He embodies the characteristics that best represent the meaning, the purpose, and the merit of librarianship and public libraries.”

Swan has volunteered about 100 hours at the library over the last year.

“Not only has she put in 50 hours, but she has doubled it,” Patti Fichter, events and programming coordinator, said as she presented Swan with the award. “Her leadership has brought new enthusiasm, new life and new programs.”

Swan, who is the instructor for the library’s chair yoga and meditation programs, said she was thrilled and extremely appreciative of the recognition.

“Being part of the Friends of the Library is a true honor, and I have met and get to work with some truly amazing people,” said Swan. “There are a lot of programs that need our support and make the community better for it, and I’m just really glad and proud to be a part of it.”

Whitney Parillo, the adult services librarian for the library, said volunteers help in a multitude of ways, including gardening outside, watering indoor plants, maintaining the organization of the library’s collection of books, and checking on its board games and counting all of the tiny pieces.

The Friends of the Library group supports the library’s programs through fundraising, literacy tutors help support the library’s mission to provide learning opportunities for all community members, and the library’s board of trustees helps provide crucial support and guidance that steers the library towards success, Parillo said.

“Volunteers like you make all the difference to help library staff and administration succeed,” Parillo said at the luncheon. “Without your support, our growth wouldn’t be possible.”