CHILDERSBURG, Ala. – June 6, 2025 will mark 22 years for Susan Carpenter at the Rainwater Library in Childersburg, and at the end of June, she will be retiring.
“I started as the children’s librarian in 2003 and later because the librarian,” said Carpenter, “It has been a distinct pleasure to serve to community, but my husband retired from the paper mill a couple of years ago, and it’s time for me to join him – to spend more time with him.”
Carpenter says she has no specific plans of how she will spend her time.
“I’m open to some new adventures,” Carpenter added. “I’m sure we’ll find some fun ways to stay busy that we couldn’t do while we were both working full time.”
She said that pinning it down to one favorite aspect of working at the Rainwater Library is a tough task.
“On a personal level, it’s the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made. On a professional level, I’m proud of the job I’ve done in upgrading a lot of aspects of our library and the services it offers.”
The library has outstanding technological services and equipment for those who need access to the Internet, computers, printers, copiers, and fax services. They feature an extensive inventory of audio books and DVD collections. They also have a lot of historic photographs and a large collection of information on Childersburg’s rich history.
“We have the facilities to host small group meetings and community programs for young and old,” noted Carpenter, “and we’re working on a collaboration with our Senior Center for creating a senior book club and expanding opportunities for our senior community on-site, at their facility, or from home with the on-line ‘Libby’ program.”
Carpenter says that the Rainwater Library has more resources and offerings than most in the community realize.
“The biggest improvement we can make going forward under a new library director is to have more people use what we have to offer.”
