"Local Librarian Retires After 38 Years of Service"
After nearly four decades of dedicated service to the community, longtime librarian Margaret “Maggie” Ellsworth officially retired this week from her post at the Brookside Public Library. Her final day, marked by heartfelt goodbyes and warm memories, closed a chapter not only in her life but in the story of the town’s beloved library.
Ellsworth, who began her career in 1987 as a part-time assistant shelving books, quickly became a fixture of the library and the broader Brookside community. Over the years, she held nearly every position at the library, eventually becoming head librarian in 2004. Under her leadership, the library expanded its programs, modernized its services, and became a true community hub, serving not only as a place to check out books but as a gathering space for learning, creativity, and connection.
Known for her calm demeanor, encyclopedic knowledge, and seemingly endless patience, Ellsworth was a mentor to many, especially young readers discovering the joy of books for the first time. Generations of families came to know her as the woman who always had the perfect book recommendation or the kind word at the right moment.
“I’ve seen kids who came to storytime in the early '90s come back as parents bringing their own children,” Ellsworth said during a small reception held in her honor. “Watching people grow up with the library as part of their lives—that’s been the most rewarding part of all of this.”
The library hosted a farewell event on Wednesday afternoon, attended by fellow staff members, patrons, former coworkers, and members of the community. Tables were lined with photo albums, newspaper clippings, and handwritten notes of appreciation. Children presented drawings and thank-you cards, and the Friends of the Library group gifted Ellsworth a commemorative plaque and a handmade quilt featuring fabric squares printed with classic book covers.
Library Director Anika Shah praised Ellsworth for her legacy of service and innovation. “Maggie never sought the spotlight, but she has been the steady hand and beating heart of this place for nearly 40 years,” Shah said. “She helped usher in our first public computer lab, launched our summer reading program, and kept this place going through renovations, budget cuts, and even a pandemic.”
Though she’s retiring from the library, Ellsworth has no plans to slow down entirely. She intends to spend more time gardening, traveling with her sister, and—unsurprisingly—reading. She also plans to volunteer with the library’s adult literacy program, which she helped start in the late 1990s.
“This isn’t goodbye forever,” Ellsworth said with a smile. “I’ll still be around—just on the other side of the desk.”
Her departure marks the end of an era for the Brookside Public Library, but her impact will linger in every corner of the building—from the shelves she helped organize to the reading programs she championed. As one child wrote on a card: “Thank you for the books, the smiles, and the magic.