Retiring library director loves reading to children

By ANNA MITCHELL
anna@readthereporter.com

Ann Hoehn has worked as the director at Hamilton North Public Library since Aug. 1, 2014. After 10 years of dedicated work, she is retiring. Staci Treece will take over her role as director. Both are looking forward to the next chapter in their lives.

Hoehn could often be found in the children’s corner, reading to the children. Her favorite book in 2024 was City Pig by Wallace/Monks. Three times a week for the past two years, Hoehn did story time.

“Just getting to know the kids in the community in that way has been a fabulous experience,” Hoehn said. “I think as far as what am I going to miss most about the library is doing story time.”

This past summer, Hoehn said she had the largest attendance for story hour that she has seen at the Hamilton North Public Library. One child said he wanted to be just like her when he grew up.

Hoehn put a lot of work into the library. She helped with fundraisers, read to the children, and cared for the people she worked with.

“That’s what we should be doing: supporting the employees,” Emily Pearson said. “We’ve got great staff, and that’s why it’s so important to get good bits in. Ann’s always been great to work with. And anytime I have a question, she’s great to answer it.”

Treece is excited to expand on what Hoehn has built. She wants to keep the community involved and welcome more kids into the different programs that the library offers. She said getting kids involved in the library will help them learn and give them valuable life skills.

“Reading at home and in the library – reading is a part of everyday jobs,” Treece said. “You need to be able to read an application, be able to think critically, and reading helps with that and gives you all the information that you need.”

Treece said she feels prepared to step into her new role. She has had time to adjust to the Hamilton North Public Library, and she has spent time with Hoehn.

To celebrate both Hoehn and Treece, the library hosted a retirement/welcoming event on July 24. Attendees expressed their appreciation for all the hard work Hoehn put into the library, how loving she is, and how much she cared for her coworkers.

People were excited to welcome Treece into her new role and see how she will help the library and its community to grow. Pearson said that Treece had glowing reviews from her former job and that she has been a good fit for the Hamilton North Public Library.

Although changing jobs can be difficult, Pearson said that all the other library employees will help Treece and make her transition as smooth as possible.

Pearson said that they are leaving the library in good hands. She said Treece will take care of and love the community and the employees, and she will take care of the future of the library.