Siloam Proud

Siloam Springs Proud Wednesday, June 24, 2020 n 5C Siloam Springs Herald-Leader When people think of cit- izens making a difference, they usually look at the city administrator or city board. Not many people would look at the person manag- ing the local library. However, in Siloam Springs the library man- ager works hard to keep the library stocked with popu- lar items and making sure the library has up-to-date equipment to best serve its patrons. In Siloam Springs, that person is Dolores Deuel. Deuel has been a library manager for the last eight years. During that time she has worked to make the library what it is today. "As we go through this unprecedented time, I know things have changed," Deuel said of the coronavi - rus pandemic. "The library continues to strive to be a place where people can connect in-person and virtually." Early years Deuel grew up in Collins, Iowa. As a child she enjoyed reading, playing the piano, going to ball games and of course going to the library. "The library was my friend until I graduated from college," Deuel said. She took a little break, then came back to the library as a patron. Eventu - ally she got a job working at the public library in Jack- son, Minn. She attended Iowa State University for her under- graduate degree and still considers it her home university. Deuel gradu- ated with a double major in Family Services and So- ciology. Later on she com- pleted her Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Oklahoma. After college, she met her future husband at a singles retreat in Spring Lake, Iowa. "We were dating and went to her folks for Christ - mas," Rod Deuel said. "She directed her niece to give this present to 'Uncle Rod.' Her dad looked over real quick." Deuel followed that up by earning her Master's Degree at the University of Oklahoma while still work - ing, he said. The couple moved to Siloam Springs 15 years earlier to be close to fam- ily. When she moved to Siloam Springs, Deuel got a job working at Head Start. She worked at the Decatur and Siloam Springs Head Start locations as an assis- tant teacher, teacher and supervisor. In 2012, Deuel returned to her first love, the library. In the library When Deuel applied for the position of library manager, the city found someone who could steer the library into the future. "Dolores has a desire to work with people and is very personable and has a love of books," said Don Clark, community development director and Deuel's immediate super - visor. "She stays abreast of what is changing in the Library field as it relates to technology." Under her leadership, the library expanded home school programs, added an additional preschool story hour and an ad - ditional book club, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, Deuel said. She said she also encouraged patrons to take advantage of digital opportunities located on the Siloam Springs Public Library website. Ask Deuel about her greatest contribution to the library and she will tell you about helping with the plans for the new library building. "It was vital to have her and her staff's input as they were the ones who under - stood the needs from both a staff and patron perspec- tive," Clark said. Deuel was also respon- sible for expanding pro- gramming for all ages and hiring program coordina- tors for children and youth which has assisted with the library's programming. "It's two very important programs to assist with, growing a hunger for knowledge and reading in our youth," Clark said. Deuel has also expanded the volunteer program, which is also key to the functionality of the library, Clark said. Few employees could match her dedication to the library. "I've pulled up at the library at 6:45 in the morn - ing and witnessed her shoveling the sidewalks," Clark said. "I had to basi- cally pry the shovel from her hands; I don't think she was too happy that I did." Aside from her dedica- tion, Deuel is also com- passionate, according to Stephanie Reed, assistant library manager. "She always does her best to try to take care of the needs of everyone she knows," Reed said. Most recently, Deuel has helped to coordinate the reopening of the library in the middle of the coronavi - rus pandemic. The current changes she has had to oversee include managing curbside pickup on Friday afternoon from 2 to 4, lim- iting patrons to 30 people at a time with a 60-minute visitation limit and helping to ensure the new virtual summer reading program will run smoothly. Deuel also wanted to remind patrons to check the library's website for further updates regarding information about the li - brary and gradually lifting restrictions. When asked how she gets the job done, she is quick to point to her staff. "The one thing that is important to me is that I believe in and work with the we concept, not the me concept," Deuel said. "I am nothing without the people who help make up my life. Away from the library As dedicated as Deuel is to the library, she does take the time to enjoy ac- tivities and events around her. She plays and teaches piano, volunteers for the Kiwanis Club, gathers with friends, travels, reads and attends games for her be- loved Northwest Arkansas Naturals. "She is a rabid baseball fan and can often be spot- ted in the third base line seats at the Naturals game," Clark said. Craig Taylor, a member and treasurer of the Ki- wanis Club, said Deuel and the Naturals mascot are on a first name basis. He also said he is sorry that Deuel and her husband have missed almost the first half of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Deuel and her husband have traveled to various locations in the nation. The most exotic was Hatch, N.M., home of the Hatch chile peppers, and getting to experience a snowy Christmas at the Grand Canyon, Rod Deuel said. The couple hope to return to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, he said. When the couple is home, Deuel enjoys attend - ing church at First United Methodist Church and par- ticipating in Kiwanis Club. Lynn Stephens, a friend of Deuel's, enjoys spending time with her in the choir. "(We) go with our church choir to the local nursing home monthly for second Sunday singing to provide hymn singing and devo - tion time for residents," Stephens said. The friends have also worked in the church's vacation Bible school and have been part of a Sun- day School class together. Stephens said she enjoys gathering with Deuel and other friends once a month to share a meal and fellow- ship. However, the friends have not been able to get together since the corona- virus outbreak. Deuel keeps library on the cutting edge By Marc Hayot Staff Writer n mhayot@nwadg.com Marc Hayot/Herald Leader Librarian Dolores Deuel arranges some books in the children's section of the library. 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