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Legendary Librarian Closes Book on Career
Posted: Nov 30, 2012 5:54 PM by Rachel Cole - rcole@kristv.com
Updated: Nov 30, 2012 6:48 PM
ALICE -- The head librarian in Alice is checking out her retirement plans after a 45-year career. A journey that started the day the Alice Public Library opened. Alicia Salinas said, "When your 83, I think it's time to retire."
She says it takes real passion to keep a job for that length of time. "For a person to last as long as I've lasted here, you really have to love what you're doing."
Salinas was hired in September of 1967 as a cataloger who typed up cards for each and every book. She says those early days taunted her from time to time.
"I had a nightmare and these cards were coming out of the plastic and they sprouted wings and were attacking me," Salinas said.
Salinas also spent several years shelving books and developing programs for the public. As she worked her way up to director of the library, she says transitioning from type writers to computers was the biggest obstacle for her staff.
"One of the things that has been the most challenging has been embracing the new technology," Salinas said.
Salinas says it's no secret that she loves books, particularly the Count of Monte Cristo but she admits to having a kindle and loving one aspect in particular.
"I can adjust the font size," Salinas said.
After four and a half decades of working at the library, Salinas thought not much could surprise her but she was wrong. "I thought well, I must have died and gone to library heaven."
Last year the library was dedicated and named after Alicia Salinas for all of her hard work and committment.
"It was a real honor and again I've had mixed emotions about retiring but I think it's time," she said.
Salinas says she'll miss her job dearly but she has plenty of plans for her free time. "I've had a lot of people ask me question aren't you going to be bored, I have a lot of hobbies, I enjoy doing a lot of things, I like gardening and sewing, just puttering around the house," Salinas said.
Salinas says she's looking forward to beginning a new chapter of her life starting with spending more time with her great grandchildren. Her final day at the library will be December 31st.
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