Local News

Reddick Retiring After 30 Years Service


Jan 05, 2021

Long time Omak librarian Sharon Reddick is retiring at the end of January, 2021 after 30 years of service to the public starting in January 1990 when she replaced former head librarian Judy Hook at her retirement.

The Omak Library Foundation Board president Donna Sanford, wanting to honor her long-time service, yet realizing that Covid 19 restrictions limited the options, asked Sharon what she would like. Her response was, “it would be great if we could have a basket here in the Omak library for people to drop off cards, notes, messages, so that I can have keepsakes of what the library has meant to them during my time here.”    This would be especially meaningful as she and her husband, Ned Chilmonik, are planning to relocate to his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida in April or May. Sharon is pleased that this will get them closer to their daughter, Nadia, who is living and working in New York.

            What she enjoyed most about working in the library was the ability to work with and help people. What she didn’t enjoy was that Covid-19 put a damper on patron contact and stopped the work of the Literacy Council, as 1 on 1 could no longer safely happen. She attributes her understanding and appreciation of Hispanic culture in part to the Council and to her contact with Latino patrons. She hopes that it won’t be long before the Literacy Council will be able to continue their valuable work engaging learning and language.

            Another thing that she will miss is the summer reading program. “ I loved seeing the kids in our community having fun and reading for fun,” she added. Also special were the times spent introducing the summer reading program to the schools each year.

            Sharon wants to assure you that the Omak library, a part of what is now called the North Central Washington Libraries, will be in good hands with the hiring of Alyssa Collins as the new head librarian., who comes to Omak from Salem, Oregon with a Masters Degree in Library Science and an excitement for programming and serving the public.

        Meanwhile during the month of January the Omak Library Foundation Board would like to encourage you to stop by the Omak Library with your messages, notes, pictures, poems, letters, etc. for Sharon’s basket.


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