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A spoonful of sugar: Anniversary and retirement party celebrates past, future of Shepherdstown Public Library

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Aug 25, 2023

Amy Hunter, of Amy & Alex's Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee Shop, hands Richard Rosenberger a cup of chocolate ice cream at the "Sweet Celebration" Ice Cream Social on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — With a slice of cake and cup of ice cream in hand, Shepherdstown residents and visitors celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Shepherdstown Public Library (SPL) being in its own building and the retirement of longtime SPL Director Hali Taylor on the library’s patio Saturday afternoon.

For some visitors, this event proved to be the catalyst for them visiting the building for the first time.

“My wife and I were here about a year ago, for an event at Shepherd University. At that time, everybody was raving about how wonderful the new library was, but we didn’t get a chance to see it. We were still planning to see it, because we were told how wonderful the library was — and it is! I just walked through it,” said Richard Rosenberger. “When we were at the [Historic Shepherdstown] Museum this morning, they said we needed to come and get some ice cream at the library.”

While Rosenberger went for a scoop of chocolate ice cream donated to the Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) “Sweet Celebration” Ice Cream Social by Amy & Alex’s Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee Shop, other attendees snacked on cake donated by the Shepherdstown Sweet Shop Bakery, ice cream donated by Rock Hill Creamery and root beer floats. Over 150 people turned out for the event, according to FOSL board member Diana Patterson.

“We were unsure how many people to expect. It looks like a gorgeous turnout,” Patteron said, mentioning the event was overwhelmingly successful, thanks to the local business donations and participation. “The whole community came together to make this happen!”

From left, Shepherdstown Public Library Director Christy Hagerty, Friends of the Shepherdstown Library President Rob Sisk and retiring Shepherdstown Public Library Director Hali Taylor hang out together at the "Sweet Celebration" Ice Cream Social on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

Amidst the sugar rush, many celebrants took time to take in the musical performances at the event’s open mic, as well as give their best wishes to Taylor.

“We came out to celebrate Hali. How many years — 30 years — has she been here?” said Patty Bachner, of Shepherdstown. “The library’s in great hands, under Christy Hagerty, but am I going to miss Hali? Yes! She’s brought a great energy to the library for so many years. She’s brought the children’s programs together, which is amazing!”

For Shepherdstown resident John Doyle, Taylor’s retirement wasn’t that concerning of a thought.

“She’s an exceptionally level-headed person, and my guess is that won’t be missed a whole lot, because she’ll still be around to be called on for advice,” Doyle said. “She’s not going away completely, which is a good thing.”

Along with the food and entertainment, a number of children’s activities were offered throughout the two-hour event, including an Audubon Society story walk, a book hunt around the library’s property and a children’s book swap. The children’s events were particularly appropriate, consider the party was celebrating the retirement of Taylor, who started out her time at the SPL as a children’s librarian. Taylor herself found the celebration’s turnout to be especially encouraging, as it affirmed the value of her years of work on bringing the library building project to life.

Community members wait in line for ice cream and cake from Rock Hill Creamery and Shepherdstown Sweet Shop Bakery, respectively, outside of the Shepherdstown Public Library on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

“To me, it’s like an indication of how much people wanted a good space together. That’s what this was intended to be — a place where people can get what they need, be in their community and feel like they fit, without having to spend anything to be there,” Taylor said. “It’s been a beautiful turnout!”

Shepherdstown residents Sam Jannotta, right, and Timothy Jacot perform at the "Sweet Celebration" Ice Cream Social on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston