The New Hampshire State Library is blessed with an outstanding staff; perhaps none exemplifies this more than the Head of Technical Services, Eleanor O'Donnell. A native of Scotland, Eleanor has spent more that 37 years at the State Library providing leadership and direction. After so many years of outstanding service, Eleanor is retiring to enjoy time with her husband and do the other things she enjoys when she is not working at the State Library.

Eleanor's knowledge of cataloging gained the best way possible; through years of application have helped make the New Hampshire State Library's catalog a model for other libraries. Eleanor's knowledge of the collection has also been a tremendous help to librarians and patrons as she is able to recall obscure materials and find them to help with reference questions. Eleanor is noted for her column on New Hampshire books. Librarians in New Hampshire wait for the next issue of Granite State Libraries to read about books that have a connection to New Hampshire. Eleanor's column is an essential collection development tool for all New Hampshire librarians.

Eleanor is also known for her love of poetry, she has, in fact, become the Poet Laureate of the New Hampshire State Library. When the library has a special occasion to recognize, such as a retirement or a special honor that has been received, Eleanor is called upon to write a poem to commemorate the occasion. Two years ago I was called upon to write a poem for Eleanor when she celebrated 35 years at the State Library,

Today we honor a lady from Bow
Who is friendly outgoing and easy to know
She tolls in the basement of our Park Street location
With determination, dedication, and innovation
For thirty-five years she has been here to help
Put things in order and on the right shelf
For Thirty-five years she has applied all the rules
To make sure our catalog was the finest of tools
Thank you Eleanor for all that you have done
You make working at NHSL a whole lot of fun

It has been my honor to work with Eleanor for just a small part of her thirty-seven years at the State Library. However, in that period I have learned a great deal from her, not about cataloging, but about what it takes to be a good manager, good to the people you supervise, and what it means to be a professional and why good customer service is essential. Eleanor, through her example, has shown me what is important. The State Library will certainly miss Eleanor and I will personally miss her. I hope we can get her to continue to write about New Hampshire books.

-Michael York, State Librarian