Harrisburg library director to retire
Longtime library director Ruth Miller is retiring after 19 years of working in Harrisburg.
Miller has worked as a librarian for 26 years, and came to work in the Harrisburg District Library in April 1997. While she didn't start out as a librarian -- she was "privileged to be a stay-at-home mom for our two children," she said -- Miller eventually decided that she wanted a part-time job. She started working as the assistant librarian in August 1984 at the Rosiclare Memorial Public Library, and became head librarian in1985 after her mentor fell ill.
To further her education, she tried to take online classes with the American Librarian Association, but as there were none at the time, she began taking classes at Southeastern Illinois College, sometimes with her own children. In August 1991, she resigned her position to become a full-time student, studying Library Science/School Media.
Miller returned to work as a librarian for Eldorado CUSD #4 in Spring 1994, and went on to work at Hardin County K-12 as a substitute teacher and as an Extra Ordinary Care Aid. Not long after, a fellow churchgoer informed her of an open librarian position in Harrisburg.
"The board members told me they planned to become a library district and to build a new library," Miller said. "I told them I intended to pursue my master's degree." Miller went on to complete an online program in 2003 from the University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign, and received her master's in Library/Information Science.
On April 1, 1997, she became the director of Mitchell Carnegie Public Library, and three years later to the day. a new location was opened: The Harrisburg District Library.
After working at the Harrisburg library for 19 years, Miller says that much has changed. As director she implemented: baby changing stations in both restrooms, a young adult area, exam proctoring, downloadable e-books and e-audiobooks, as well as a Children's Librarian with an outreach program to local daycares.
Miller has been awarded nearly $780,000 in grant funds that provided the library with: automatic doors, toilets, and sinks, adult literacy tutors, ESL and family literacy programs, updated computers, and other features. She was responsible for annexing the southeastern portion of Saline County into the Harrisburg Library District. Miller also involved the library with Project Next Generation; a program created by the Secretary of State to help children learn about technology.
Out of all of her roles as director, Miller said that she will miss "helping people" the most.
"It doesn't matter if the patron needs help finding something to read or if I need to find information for them. I enjoy seeing the smiles," Miller said.
Miller is planning to continue to make smiles in her retirement. A few years ago, she created her own business, Spar Miner's Daughter, where she creates jewelry with fluorite - or as Miller said, "fluorspar, as we say in Hardin County" - and Spar Heads that depict hobbies or occupations.
"My father and my husband worked in the fluorspar industry, and I want to keep that heritage alive," Miller said. "I enjoy seeing the smiles from that work too."
The library will host a reception in Miller's honor on Thursday from 4-6 p.m.