Tributes paid to beloved Kildare librarian Julie upon retirement

WHENEVER anyone new walked into Kilcullen Library, librarian Julie O’Donoghue always made a point of introducing them to everyone else there.

It was part of her unofficial mission to ensure that everyone who came into her orbit felt they were part of Kilcullen's community.

Last week she retired from her librarian job, after 47 years with the County Kildare service.

Her impact on generations of Kilcullen people, particularly children, was recalled as she hosted a Brigid-themed craft event on her last evening at the former Boys School, which became Kilcullen Community Library in 1982.

The event was paused briefly as friends, library patrons, and colleagues arrived to wish her well in the next chapter of her life.

Mary Orford highlighted Julie's remarkable achievement as Kilcullen's only librarian since the branch opened.

She said that Julie can be justifiably proud of many events and projects she initiated during her tenure, particularly the WW1 commemoration of the Kilcullen men who fought in it.

Among a series of Memory Night events, the Kilcullen to Katanga night in 2017, which offered a historical overview and featured local participants sharing personal experiences of the Congo campaign, was also a remarkable occasion.

Mary, a retired librarian herself, observed that a library is a "democratic space for everybody," but that, with all the books in the world, it can't function without the person behind the desk.

Julie expressed her love for the job, especially the people she met, notably the children.

"I got lovely cards from the children in Scoil Bhride, and if I have any legacy, it is that no child is afraid to come in here."

Flowers were presented on behalf of the branch readers and by Kilcullen Community Action, which developed the library garden.

Julie’s librarian career began in the late 1970s when she saw an advertisement for a position in Kilcullen, placed by then county librarian Séamus O'Conchubhair, who was expanding the service with new branches across the county.

Though married and with a young family, Julie figured “Yes, I could do that” and was offered the job after a successful interview.

“The new Kilcullen branch was first opened in what would later become the Credit Union building,” she recalls.

There's a certain circularity to that first library location. It had formerly been the residence of two teachers, Ms Griffin and Ms Duffy. Ms Griffin had spent most of her working life teaching at Kilcullen Boys School.

Embedded in the original floorboards of the current library space are memories of generations of young schoolboys, some of whom, over the years, returned as adults and library patrons, telling their stories of school days.

Everyone who has visited, or been a patron of, Kilcullen Library over almost five decades will have been captured in Julie’s wonderful web of stories, literature, knowledge, humour, helpfulness, and innate rebellion against the traditional depiction of a librarian.

There was never a danger of being 'shushed’, nor was there a chance of getting away without a chat during which she would seamlessly gather more information than any Facebook algorithm can do today.

“I’ve absolutely loved this job. I love the people I meet, especially the kids who come in. The craic and the things people will say to you, sometimes it’s like a cocktail party in here. And because it’s just one room, everyone gets involved in the conversations.” 

Changes coming up at the Kilcullen branch include an expansion of opening hours in March to 35 hours a week, something Julie has been advocating for a long time.

“The service is bigger. Kilcullen has many more people who need access to the library. And more people than ever are reading books."

That said, Julie also highlights the "massively important" digital e-library offerings from the Kildare Library Service, which allow access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, and newspapers across adult, young adult, and children's titles.

When news of her imminent retirement spread, there was an explosion of well-wishing and appreciation for what Julie had done over the decades.

Tanya Flanagan said bringing her children to the library when they were small "was always a lovely experience”.

Francis O’Brien said Julie’s lifelong promotion of education through books and crafts is “immeasurable, and you did it with a smile”.

Melodie Smithson said that thanks to Julie’s toddler mornings, “one of my daughters still loves books”.

Laura Kelly said she will miss the “chats and kindness”.

Ruth Talbot described Julie as “the most wonderful example of a librarian, and who will be so missed”.

Austin Egan said that "a lifetime of exceptional service to the town" followed what was a "great hiring decision" by Séamus O'Conchubhair.

Patricia Berney said it was always a pleasure to see Julie’s “welcoming smile in our beautiful Kilcullen library. The children are now 21 and 19, but I can remember you chatting to them and asking about their interests when we popped in.” 

An era may have ended, but the legacy of a love of books and reading lives on in the memories of generations.