By Linda Kor Cathie McDowell has retired after 30 years as the director at the Snowflake Taylor Library and was recognized by the Snowflake Town Council for her dedication to public service. On the library’s Facebook page, McDowell noted that it has been her passion to make sure the communities had a library and the services that it provides. “As a parting shot, if you will, I am cancelling all overdue fees and damage fees. I want you to start fresh with our new librarian, Ella McAdams. She is amazing! And as soon as it is possible to have a new policy enacted all overdue fees will be eliminated for all material. This is something I have been working toward and it would have been done by now if not for the temporary elimination of meetings. So take advantage of this fresh start!” McAdams, who grew up in Snowflake, is excited to take over in the position. At the council meeting she noted, “My personal goal is to add equity to access of information, to promote library services and offer excellent service to our patrons and community.” To ensure those goals are met, she will be reviewing policies and procedures in the upcoming year. McAdams shared what the library has been doing since the pandemic has shut down and limited public services, and the plan for re-opening. “Our services have been limited during this time. We plan to open with social distancing later this month or early July contingent upon resources that we are still waiting to get our hands on.” She added that the library is currently providing curbside service and appointments. Patrons are allowed to enter the library in limited numbers and are met at the door, asked to wash their hands and are assisted by staff. The library has been awarded a grant of 250 free books to be given to children in the community in conjunction with the Snowflake Unified School District lunch program this summer. These books came from the Arizona State Department of Libraries. McAdams noted that the library was also granted personal protection equipment, in addition to laptops and an iPad. “This will allow us to provide digital library programming this summer through the CARES Act.” McAdams stated that she will hopefully be awarded additional CARES Act funds, “in order to provide better remote internet access and better necessities to adjust to the new circumstances.” She also noted that they have been painting at the library and that a new meeting space was added. The council also paid tribute to Don and Jeri Anderson who are retiring after serving as volunteers for the Snowflake Taylor Police Department for 11 years.
