For the past five years, Barbara Basile has been dedicating her time to promoting the programs and services of the Milanof-Schock Library. She will retire this month from her position as executive director.

She said her time at the library has taught her the importance of community and the role the library plays in the lives of others.

"In smaller communities like the Donegal area, we don't have that many places where the community can gather," she stated. "The library is one of them."

Basile came to Milanof-Schock from the Manheim Community Library. She has worked in libraries since the mid-1980s, with a focus on nonprofit administration. Her husband, David, was in the Army, and the couple traveled the world.

"Working at the library was a golden opportunity to be a part of a hometown," Basile remarked. "For years, I didn't have that 'hometown' feeling since we traveled so much, but here, I was able to really get to know people and feel like I was part of the community."

Although Basile had library experience prior to coming to Mount Joy, she said her limited facilities management experience proved to be a challenge on the job.

"Coming into a building that required me to supervise lawn care, sidewalk maintenance, leaking roofs, toilets not behaving - that was the hardest part for me," she noted. "I wanted to make sure the building was always in good condition for the community."

Throughout her tenure, she oversaw major projects such as the 2020 replacement of the roof and gutters on the building, the installation of LED lighting throughout the building and interior renovations including new carpet and painting.

While Basile said she will not miss some aspects of the job, such as worrying about snow removal or grass mowing, she will miss the people she's met over the years.

"The library should be a place where everyone is welcome," she explained. "It doesn't matter how old you are, what your background is, what you believe or where you come from. I've worked really had to make sure the library is a place for everyone."

Kirstin Rhoads, community coordinator for the library, said Basile has made a positive impact on the library.

"Working with Barbara has been a joy," Rhoads said. "She is a ball of creative energy who truly cares for the people who come to the library. I think she's helped make our library a place that people in the community want to visit, a place where they feel welcome."

Basile, 65, said she plans to enjoy family time in retirement. "If COVID taught me nothing else, it drove home the importance of being able to see family," she shared. "I have a long bucket list."

She credits her staff and community members with making her job enjoyable over the last five years.

"I have wonderful memories of the staff," she stated. "I will also miss the people in the community. I just love talking to them, and I am so grateful for the opportunity. It has been a wonderful job."