1919: The Year that Changed America

On July 30, 2021 our beloved colleague Ann Pechacek passed away unexpectedly. Ann worked at Worthington Libraries for 20 years, first as a teen librarian and most recently as a lead librarian at Old Worthington Library.

Perhaps no one was ever better suited to work with teenagers. Ann was passionate about young adult literature and connecting the right book to the right person. Students would often look for her at the Library, to tell her they checked out a book on her recommendation, that they loved it and could she help them find more? And the answer was always an enthusiastic, "Yes!"

In addition to being an amazing librarian, Ann was a great colleague and friend. Hailing from Oklahoma, with a Sooners sticker on her front door, she was no nonsense, quick with a smile and always there to lend a helping hand.

Ann loved what many of us do: family, friends, pets, traveling. But what marked Ann as singular, as special, was the joy she brought to any situation simply by walking in the room. The Library won't be the same without her, but we will do our best to honor her memory every day.