INNISFAIL – There is a big staff change coming this spring to the Innisfail Public Library.
After six years manager Sara Kepper is leaving.
“I loved my job. It was a really, really hard decision to leave,” said Kepper, citing personal reasons.
Library staff and patrons gathered on March 28 for a farewell tea to say goodbye to Kepper and wish her well.
Kepper’s last day on the job was Friday, March 29.
Innisfail resident Pat Pizarro was one of many locals who came out to bid Kepper farewell.
“I wanted to be here for this special occasion for Sara. I wish she was staying,” said Pizarro. “She‘s always a friendly, helpful and involved lady. It makes it very special to be part of a community that has a library (manager) like that.”
Longtime library patron Janna Wowk agreed.
“It’s absolutely going to be a loss for the community,” said Wowk, a 15-year patron. “She’s done a great deal of work with the library, with its programming and bringing in a lot more people than I ever saw before.
“She’s brought wonderful, positive changes for the community, and more community members are coming to the library and using it,” she added.
Kepper began her time with the library as a volunteer. A year later she became a library clerk when a position opened up, working in that capacity for two years until the position of library manager became available.
Kepper thanked her staff for their support over the years.
“I’m going to miss the staff. I worked with an amazing group of people,” she said. “I’m going to miss the volunteers and I’m going to miss all the patrons.”
There’s no word on a replacement for Kepper yet, and Kepper herself is keeping her future options open.
"I'm not sure yet. We’ll see where life takes me,” Kepper concluded.
