Director led library from the Dewey Decimal system to e-readers
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
When Jackie Gotz first assumed her duties with the East Troy Lions Public Library three decades ago, the world was a very different place than it is today.
The same could be said of the brick and mortar municipal buildings that have long served as venues to quench the thirsts of eager literary consumers.
But even as technology paves an uncertain future for news and literary consumption in the road ahead, Gotz said she believes libraries will continue serving the same fundamental principle – to serve patrons’ needs, regardless of what form the media is coming in.
Gotz stepped down as director of the East Troy Lions Public Library in late December, ending a 30-year career that began with four years as an assistant director.
Twenty-six years ago, Gotz took the helm of the operation as library director and helped steer the facility through times of unprecedented change.
“When I started, everything was still done manually,” Gotz said, referring to card catalogs and other techniques that would be viewed as enormously primitive by today’s standards.
Gotz still remembers the hoopla that came with the installation of computers in the library in the early 1990s. Automation made it far easier for library staff and patrons to access books and other media – an important step frequently taken for granted by those unfamiliar with the origins of the Dewey Decimal System.
Technology continued to play an important role in 2000 when the library hosted its first Internet stations for library patrons.
“Internet access was slow to come to East Troy, and people seemed to appreciate having this feature at the library,” Gotz said. “It was an important addition, I think.”
In a short time, of course, technology’s evolution has moved by leaps and bounds.
As she rounded out her career at the library, Gotz and her staff began looking at e-readers as supplementary forms of media alongside traditional books.
“Regardless of what the changes have been, I think we’ve always tried to be a place that meets the community’s needs,” Gotz said. “I think we’ve managed to remain a place that is important to the people of East Troy. Everything we do is for the people of this community. We’re looking to fulfill their lives.”
As she reflects on her career, Gotz said she has enjoyed witnessing the growth of East Troy and the corresponding popularity of the local library. Along the way, Gotz said she forged many relationships with people in the community that will endure beyond her recent retirement.
“I’ve really enjoyed having my career in this community,” she said. “I have met so many wonderful patrons, and I’m going to miss working with the wonderful staff I am leaving behind.”
Gotz said she plans to remain connected to East Troy through involvement in different organizations.
“I plan to do some traveling as well,” Gotz said. “I also look forward to having the time to just being at home and relaxing and doing something I really love – taking the time to read.”
