Brainerd Dispatch, December 16, 2014 • Echo Journal, December 18, 2014
Sue Hardy, right, hugs library patron Dorothy Johnson at her retirement open house held earlier this month. Hardy retired from the Brainerd Public Library after 38 years on the job. BRAINERD DISPATCH/STEVE KOHLS
Brainerd woman helped many gain knowledge for 38 years CHELSEY PERKINS
Brainerd Dispatch Staff Writer
Nearly 50 years ago, a young Sue Hardy traveled to a mysterious palace in Lebanon to visit an eccentric great-aunt, soon to realize it might be difficult to leave — or escape. Well, she did not physically travel to Damascus; instead, she was transported via the magic of the written word, for the adventures of Christy Mansel and her cousin, Charles, in Mary Stewart’s 1967 novel “The Gabriel Hounds.” The book was one of many Hardy recalls discovering on the shelves of a college professor for whom she babysat while in high school in Thousand Oaks, Calif. “Her house was full of books,” she said. “She said I could read anything I wanted. So I started picking up books while the two little girls were taking their naps, and I fell in love
“It’s been a pleasure serving the Brainerd community” ~Sue Hardy with reading.” Hardy’s love for reading led her to a career where she could pass that love along, one as a library assistant for almost four decades at Brainerd Public Library. In late November, Hardy helped library patrons navigate the shelves for the last time after announcing her retirement. “It’s been a pleasure serving the Brainerd community,” she said. “I’m still around, but I
just won’t be behind the desk.” Despite her status as bookworm, Hardy did not always plan to become a librarian. After graduating from Brainerd High School in 1968, she first attended college with the intent of one day working as a certified public accountant. Until she found out she’d have to take calculus, that is. “Calculus and I do not get along,” she laughed.
She shifted direction and instead focused on teaching English, although that career path was not meant to be, either. Halfway through her time at St. Cloud State University, Hardy decided to pursue library science as well, and after two years of teaching English saw a job opening at Brainerd Public Library and applied. “It was right in town, and I thought, I’ll go for it,” she said. “Well, I did, and I was hired. My first day of work was Aug. 1, 1976.” Hardy has witnessed many changes for the library since that day, from a move across Washington Street to the current location in 1986 to a shift away from card catalogs in favor of computer databases. She said despite the dramatic changes in how she does her job, the information people need help finding has See SUE HARDY, Page I5
Service groups offer winter help to seniors BY TRAVIS GRIMLER Echo Journal Staff Writer
In Minnesota, everything gets harder in winter. There are groups throughout the lakes area, however, to help seniors with money, small chores, driving and more. Faith in Action offers variety Faith in Action (FIA) for Cass County offers a variety of services to hundreds of people annually, especially seniors. “We are very happy to pick people up who don’t drive the winter roads or put the car away in the winter,” said Theresa Eclov, FIA executive director. “The volunteers will take them to medical appointments as far away as St. Cloud if needed. We are happy to take people shopping. If someone is looking for companionship, we can set up companionship and take people out for lunch.” Eclov said the group offers other customized services depending on need. This can include housekeeping and small chores. During the winter, they some-
Younger volunteers sought times assist with shoveling sidewalks, though they aren’t always able to offer that service. Since snow shoveling in the winter contributes to injuries every year, Eclov said FIA would offer more shoveling if it had younger volunteers. “Our volunteer population is aging, so snow shoveling is a little harder for us to find people able to do that on a regular basis,” Eclov said. “We try. We will keep working on that. We also have resource lists of people they can hire. A lot of older adults don’t necessarily know who to call other than going through the want ads.” One of the biggest things FIA can offer to seniors and others is time. “If a caregiver needs to get out of the house … our volunteers can stay with their person for three or four hours at a time, maybe longer depending on the situation. The caregiver can get out, but
our volunteers are not able to do any medical care, so it has to be non-medical visiting,” Eclov said. “If people are concerned about being alone during the winter, we also do telephone reassurance calls,” she said. “We can have someone call them to check in once a day or so.” Winter can be a lonely time, especially for those stuck at home. Eclov recognizes that. “We just want to make sure people are safe and know they are not alone,” she said. New group works to collaborate FIA is not the only group serving seniors and those in need in the Cass County area. In 2013, the St. Agnes and Sacred Heart Catholic Younger volunteers would enable Cass County FIA to help seniors with shoveling snow.
See FIA, Page I5
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