Staff Writer
PICKENS COUNTY - After nearly two decades of service, library system Director Marguerite Keenan is retiring.
In her honor, a farewell reception is being hosted from 4-7 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday at the Hampton Memorial Library.
Keenan's last day - with the organization she nurtured from a rural let's-do-everything-by-hand library into a fully functioning multi-branch system - is March 20.
Library board Chairman John McKenzie said Keenan is responsible for bringing the Pickens County Library System into the 21st century.
"She basically came to work when the system was just non-existent and has been with it all the way through, I think she's done exceptionally well," McKenzie said. "She's taken (the system) to one that's right up there with the rest of the state and counties our size."
Without Keenan, "we wouldn't have the facilities we have, definitely," McKenzie said.
But Keenan isn't just about progress - she's also sociable and inviting to patrons and employees alike, he said.
"She's a good one. She's lively, she's very knowledgeable, good with people," McKenzie said. "She's been great. I certainly wish her the best of luck."
Administrative Manager Kathy Haltiwanger has worked side by side with Keenan for 15 years, and said Keenan is a demanding leader.
"She's hard to work for, but not because of anything negative," Haltiwanger said. "Marguerite is very much a visionary. She sees the big picture and she has the tendency to pull everyone with her into that mode, but it's productive and very gratifying.
"If we did not have someone in that frame of mind, we wouldn't be where we are today," Haltiwanger said. "She's left a huge legacy for the people of Pickens County."
Keenan's work ethic applies to the more-than 50 employees of the library system, Haltiwanger said.
"She's requiring us to think, and because of that, we get a lot of things done with little resources," Haltiwanger said. "We've made something we can all be proud of out of our job, that's directly through her leadership."
Keenan's crowning achievement, in her opinion, was automating the library system.
"The experience was certainly a challenge," Keenan said, citing how the library staff didn't use a computer catalog to find books, they instead memorized the titles and locations.
"We had to create databases and then teach the staff how to utilize the databases.That's a really scary change," Keenan said. But after four years, she said the hard work paid off. "It is a countywide system, automation really helped that.
Before computers, it could take up to six months to find a book for someone at one of the branches. "With automation, it's instant," she said.
Hailing from Chicago, Keenan has had many jobs ranging from law librarian to bank analyst researcher to working in the private sector. She held a position at the Greenville County Library System and one with the Greenville school district, all before coming to Pickens County.
Keenan's job has been to oversee operations of the four branches and handle the $3 million annual budget.
During her tenure, Keenan said she has seen it all: from liquor bottles and graffiti, to a man demanding that his "seeing-eye bird" be allowed inside, to Candid Camera making an appearance.
While she isn't leaving the area - mainly because her sons still call Easley home - Keenan said she'll miss the day-to-day people and personalities that have made her job so enjoyable.
"This is a vibrant community, even 30 years ago there was a lot going on," Keenan said. "The city, county and the people themselves are the impact ... It's what makes this a beautiful area."
Keenan's retirement is expected to be interesting as she said she plans to pursue art classes, beading, crafts and gardening. She even hopes to start a canine agility club in which to strut the stuff of her 4-year-old French sheepdog Veneti.
"It's not a class, just (a club) to talk about what we think we're doing," Keenan said.
"I hope she has as much fun as she can stand," Haltiwanger said.
McKenzie agreed, adding that besides her no-holds-barred support and involvement with her sons, he's sure Keenan will stay active.
"I doubt very seriously she'll have very many slack moments," McKenzie said. "Even if she does find a slack moment, she always finds something to do with it."
County leaders have yet to announce a replacement or interim director.
Reach Ginny Johnson at 855-0355 or gjohnson@theeasleyprogress.com.
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