By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – After years of dedicated service to Pelham, David Smith is retiring from his position as library supervisor at Pelham Public Library.

Smith was celebrated at a recent Pelham City Council meeting on Monday, March 17. Mary Campbell, Pelham Public Library’s director, gave remarks on Smith’s impact during the meeting.

“If you don’t know David, then you haven’t been in the library,” Campbell said. “The whole staff is really going to miss him. We’re not sure how to fill that hole, but we’re going to do our best and we know that he’s going to have a great future.”

Smith reflected on what initially drew him to work for the Pelham Public Library.

“I originally started working in public works,” Smith said. “Former (library) director, Barbara Roberts, gave me a chance to join the team at the library and later she afforded me the opportunity to attain my master of library and information science at the University of Alabama through the Alabama Public Library Service.”

Smith hit the ground running at the library and never looked back, holding multiple roles and serving for decades.

“I have been at the library for 28 years,” Smith said. “I started at circulation, and then became a reference librarian. I became a library supervisor after attaining my degree. I am lucky in the fact that I am one of those rare few who found their career to be one of great satisfaction and happiness.”

Rather than specific memories, Smith lists the people as his favorite part of the job.

“My coworkers are wonderful and my director, Mary Campbell, is fantastic,” Smith said. “The patrons I have had the joy to serve over the years are the best. I am very lucky to have ended up living and working in Pelham with the support of some fantastic people such as Maurice Mercer and Debbie Parrot, Mayor Waters and City Manager (Gretchen) DiFante. I have had many wonderful memories, but my fondest is helping start the Pelham Garden Club with the late Teresa Riddle and her husband, Larry.”

After 28 years, Smith has noted that the library has changed dramatically since he started.

“Change is constant and the library is a wonderful example,” Smith said. “I began my career in the basement in the old location next to City Hall and now I will be leaving a vibrant new building surrounded by a school, recreation center, parks and retail spaces. The library has grown so much. We now have new dedicated spaces for teens and technology, a MakerSpace, larger meeting spaces, online author events, downloadable items, a 3D printer and a new library of things consisting of things like tools, games and more. I am very proud to have been part of it all.”

The Pelham Public Library is a special entity, Smith believes, entirely because of the people who comprise it.

“The answer is simple, the staff,” Smith said. “We are service-oriented and love what we do. A big library building is great, but you need good people to help you find what you are looking for, be it medical information, homework, job opportunities or just a good book.”

As Smith closes the book on a successful career, he is also departing from Pelham.

“(I will miss) my coworkers and friends in the community,” Smith said. “My wife and I will be moving to be with family in the Pacific Northwest soon. I will deeply miss Pelham and the people who live here.”

Smith left parting advice for the next generation of library staff across the country.

“While it is important for librarians to stay abreast of all the technological changes, new media and services, the single most important thing to remember is why we are here, and that is to be of service to all members of the community,” Smith said. “We have a duty to serve, be proud and represent the city well.”