Carolyn Eaglesham retires after 25 years of service to Demmer Library

After 25 years of devoted service to the Edward U. Demmer Memorial Library, Carolyn Eaglesham, 81, has retired, marking the end of an era for the beloved local librarian. 

A celebratory retirement party was held recently in her honor, with friends, family and community members gathering to share their appreciation for her contributions.

“It was, in a way, bittersweet,” Eaglesham said, reflecting on the celebration. “I’ve spent 25 years at the library, and it’s gotten me into a routine and it’s kept me somewhat organized. But it was very heartwarming to see all these people come out to the retirement party, and others have sent me messages if they weren’t able to be there. It’s just been a very heartwarming experience.”

Eaglesham’s daughter, Laurie Whitney, spoke about her mother’s long career and the impact it has had on their family and the community. 

“It means a lot to me and my family to see my mom celebrated after 25 years of service to the library. She has worked in libraries for more than 40 years and has given so much to the communities she has served and to us as a family. It’s great to see her honored for the legacy she’s built.”

For Eaglesham, the library became more than just a workplace. It was a place where she built lasting relationships with patrons and colleagues alike. 

Having moved to Three Lakes from Illinois, she found her love for libraries blossoming at Demmer after spending 15 years working in high school libraries in the Chicago area. 

“When the job opened, and it was something that I was well trained in, I said, that’s a great way to meet people. When we came up here on vacations, we used to always use the Demmer Library with the kids and so on in the summertime,” Eaglesham said.

Eaglesham’s time at the library has been filled with fond memories, especially her interactions with patrons. 

“I would say the people are what kept me there for 25 years,” she reflected. “I’ve made many close friends, and even at my retirement party, I asked some of them if I could keep texting to share favorite books.”

Her deep care for the community extended beyond the library’s walls. She shared how she took extra time to assist patrons with developmental needs, ensuring they could fully enjoy the library’s offerings. 

This commitment to service has deeply inspired her family.

“That kind of service stands out to me and makes me want to do what I can to support people in my community who might need extra help,” said Whitney. “My mom is a role model for building connections with people and serving the community. We’ve learned the importance of listening closely to people, to understand what their needs are, and doing what we can to meet those needs.”

As she steps into retirement, Eaglesham looks forward to spending more time with family and friends, reconnecting with people she hasn’t seen in years and finishing personal projects. 

“I have a lot of old family pictures to go through,” she said, explaining that she plans to scan and organize them to share stories with her children and grandchildren. 

She also plans to catch up on reading, one of her lifelong passions. When asked to pick a favorite book, Eaglesham laughed, noting that it was hard to choose just one. 

However, she highlighted Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck and 20 Wishes by Debbie Macomber as two of her current top picks.

“My favorite genre of books is cozy mysteries because they’re just a quick read and always fun,” she added. 

At the moment, she’s reading The Book Lovers Library by Madeline Martin, a historical fiction novel set during wartime London.

Though she is stepping away from her role at the library, Eaglesham leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, friendship, and a passion for learning. Her dedication to the Three Lakes community will be fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.