Editor, Gazette Journal:
My husband and I lived in Mathews for 22 years. During nearly 20 of those years I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Mathews Library.
I read in your paper that Bette Dillehay is retiring. My very best wishes to Bette. I’m glad she’ll have time to enjoy herself, but what a loss to Mathews! Bette’s vision brought the library forward to a multifunctional place to learn and grow. Bette always sought ways to increase interest and love of learning.
In the time I worked with her, I was in awe of her strategic planning, energy and imagination. She did so many extra things for the children, including the July learning program each year, the make-believe trips, the Scottish games and so much more.
It was her vision that created a separate space for teenagers, recognizing that they wouldn’t use the children’s wing and that they needed the library at this critical time in their education. She brought elderly people out to socialize at tea dances. Everyone came out for...