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June 2, 2004

Volunteer of the Year Honored at Library Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

SAINT PAUL, MN - Longtime West Seventh Branch Library Volunteer Michaelene (Mike) Samec was recently named Saint Paul Public Library's 2004 Volunteer of the Year.

Samec was honored at the library system's annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. The event takes place in downtown Saint Paul at the Radisson Hotel's Great River Ballroom.

West Seventh Branch Library has always relied heavily on volunteers since its inception in 1984, and Mike has been there since the start. Despite her longevity, Branch Manager John Ohr said Mike remains motivated and supportive of changes, and is quick to adjust to new technologies.

"She has, through the years, open and closed the library, provided homebound service, shelved, labeled and done just about anything else you can think of that needs doing in a small branch," Ohr said.

The annual volunteer appreciation event featured a presentation by acclaimed local author Lorna Landvik, author of "Patty Jane's House of Curl," "Welcome to the Great Mysterious," and most recently, "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons."

More than 400 Saint Paul Public Library volunteers donated more than 16,750 volunteer hours to library service during 2003, delivering books to the homebound, repairing books and videotapes, tutoring students at library Homework Centers and even maintaining and planting library gardens.

Those wishing to explore volunteering with the library can find more information on our volunteer page or by calling the library's volunteer coordinator at 651-632-5089.