CAZENOVIA — On Sunday, June 5, the Cazenovia Public Library & Museum (CPL) Board of Trustees hosted a community gathering in celebration of former library director Betsy Kennedy, who retired earlier this year after leading the library since 1983 and serving on its staff since 1979.
Held on the library grounds, the retirement party was organized by a committee and sub-committees made up of trustees, Friends of the Library (FOL) board members, staff, and community supporters.
Trustees Terri Fiumara-Dubik and Allyn Stewart chaired the event committee.
Nancy Hook, a member of the decoration committee, provided colorful decorations and plant arrangements, and a Cazenovia High School string quartet performed on the side porch.
The food committee approached multiple local restaurants to provide a diverse spread of food, most of which was purchased by the board of trustees and FOL board and some of which was donated.
The event featured offerings from the Brae Loch Inn, the Brewster Inn, the Lincklaen House, HeartStone Artisan Bakery, the Pewter Spoon, Loka Leaf Tea Lounge, Caz Pizza, Dave’s Dinner, and Kalamata Pita. Beverages were provided by Meier’s Creek Brewing Company, JS Hight & Sons Fine Wines & Spirits, and Owera Vineyards.
Kennedy officially passed the baton to CPL’s current director, Alyssa Ali, on March 17.
“The library of today would not be the library it is without Betsy’s effort,” said Elisha Davies, CPL’s assistant director and archives coordinator. “Her dedication, creativity, and leadership has earned the library a well-respected place in the community, and we wanted to publicly acknowledge our gratitude and all that she’s accomplished over four decades. The community has overwhelmingly supported the library, and we knew it would be no different for Betsy’s retirement celebration, so, with the community’s health and safety in mind, we waited until we could enjoy an outdoor gathering.”
Davies described the event as “perfect,” highlighting the great weather, food, and community turnout.
“We had over 200 people RSVP but welcomed anyone to just stop by,” she said.
Speeches were given by Davies, Mayor Kurt Wheeler, Board of Trustees President Kaleb Wilson, and Carolyn Holmes, a longtime library user who has been a staff member, volunteer, trustee, and FOL board member.
“Betsy was not only an amazing library director but also a key contributor to countless other community endeavors,” said Wheeler. “If you wanted someone to help get a new initiative off the ground who was creative, energetic and always had the pulse of the community, Betsy was your first pick.”
In honor of Kennedy’s service to CPL and the community, the board of trustees has named the library’s downstairs meeting room “The Betsy Kennedy Community Room.”
The room’s entrance will be marked with a plaque that reads as follows:
THE BETSY KENNEDY COMMUNITY ROOM
HONORING HER DEDICATION
AND YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE
CAZENOVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 5, 2022
“The board of trustees felt it was extremely important to recognize Betsy Kennedy for her lifelong service, loyalty, and dedication to not only the Cazenovia Public Library but to the Cazenovia community as a whole,” said Wilson. “We voted to name the community room after Betsy permanently so that everyone in the community and everyone in the future will understand how important Betsy was to bringing our community together.”
The board of trustees also commissioned a painting of the library by local artist Wayne Daniels.
The plaque and painting were both presented to Kennedy during the event.
“It was wonderful to see so many people that have contributed to the library’s success over the years and [have] an opportunity to thank them,” said Kennedy. “I was grateful and humbled by all the attention. I feel so fortunate to have had a rewarding career that I loved. It was a very memorable day.”
To learn more about CPL, visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.
