Rosenblum recognized for years of service at council meeting
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During Monday night's council meeting, retiring Marshalltown Public Library Director Sarah Rosenblum was presented with a plaque honoring her 15 years of service to the city, and both she and Mayor Mike Ladehoff reflected on her upcoming retirement.
"Sarah, your leadership has made a lasting impact on our community. During your tenure, you have helped guide the library toward an extraordinary achievement in 2013, when Marshalltown Public Library became the first library in Iowa to receive the prestigious IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service," Ladehoff said. "This national recognition reflected the library's commitment to serving the community and the important role it plays in people's lives. That achievement is something our entire community can be proud of, and your leadership helped make that possible."
Running a library, he added, goes beyond simply managing a building and a collection and entails understanding the needs of a community, supporting staff, creating opportunities for people of all ages and ensuring that the library remains a welcoming place for everyone.
"Over the past 15 years, you've helped lead that work while guiding the library through changes, challenges and new opportunities. On behalf of the city of Marshalltown, I want to express our sincere appreciation for your commitment, your leadership and the difference you have made on our community," Ladehoff said. "As you retire on Nov. 4, which is right around the corner, we hope you take great pride in what you've accomplished. Your legacy includes not only a nationally recognized library but also the many individuals and families whose lives have been enriched by the services and opportunities the library provides. Sarah, thank you for 15 years of service to Marshalltown, and we wish you happiness, good health and wonderful new adventures in retirement."
Rosenblum then came to the microphone herself, noting that she started on Halloween of 2011 alongside now retired Police Chief Mike Tupper, and at the time, she did not know she would be finishing her career in Marshalltown, the community where she has now lived and worked longer than anywhere else.
"Definitely, there's a place in my heart for Marshalltown. And I know people know that, but truly, it is a wonderful library," she said, mentioning the recent ribbon cutting for the renovation on the northwest side of the building. "I'm really glad (with) the legacy I leave, but I know good things are gonna come. There's gonna be some tough times, but we've gone through tough times in my 15 years."
She thanked current and past board members, library staff, city colleagues, city officials and the community as a whole.
"They have been behind the library, and they've done so much to support me and my team. I know I'm leaving the library in good hands with Katie Fink, and it's been an honor and a pleasure to serve this community. I will be watching from afar and just keeping tabs on what's going on," she said. "But I do want to thank you all, and it's a great way to round out my career."
"You will be missed," Ladehoff said.