Retirement party held for 30-year librarian

A 30-year legacy has come to an end as Russell Moore steps down from his position as librarian at the Springfield Town Library. His retirement was celebrated on Thursday with a party held at the library that was attended by more than 100 family, colleagues and friends.

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2016-04-01 / Retirement party held for 30-year librarian By Nancy A. Cavanaugh ncavanaugh@eagletimes.com Russell Moore, wearing one of his ‘great ties,’ stands next to the stained glass in the Springfield Town Library as he celebrates his retirement with family and friends. — NANCY CAVANAUGH Russell Moore, wearing one of his ‘great ties,’ stands next to the stained glass in the Springfield Town Library as he celebrates his retirement with family and friends. — NANCY CAVANAUGH SPRINGFIELD — A 30-year legacy has come to an end as Russell Moore steps down from his position as librarian at the Springfield Town Library. His retirement was celebrated on Thursday with a party held at the library that was attended by more than 100 family, colleagues and friends. The main room was filled with one table full of food for guests to munch on and another was covered with cards, a guest book and presents for the 66-year-old librarian. Around the room were pictures and memories from his tenure. Moore’s father was a minister and their family moved around a lot, according to his wife. “They settled in Westfield when Russ was in high school,” Mary said. “Then he went on to get his bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College and his Masters of Library Sciences from SUNY in Albany.” Moore returned to Westfield to serve as librarian, then moved on to be assistant librarian in Attleboro before coming to Springfield, according to his wife. “A job opened up, and he applied for it,” Mary continued. “Then we moved our family up here.” “It was still a thriving town back then,” Russell said. His first day was June 3, 1985, replacing Ellen Graft. “Just another dirty dusty delta day,” he said between greetings and congratulations from new arrivals. His colleagues describe Moore as ‘easy going’ and ‘easy to get along with.’ “He has the best ties and he would always come in with his hair dyed,” said Cheryl Sox, a former children’s librarian at the library. “Every year for St. Patrick’s Day he would come in with his hair dyed green — his moustache, too. He had a good sense of humor.” Town Manager Tom Yennerell hadn’t had much time interacting with Moore, but was appreciative of the work he had done at the library. “He’s been terrific. Springfield Town Library is known as a really good library throughout the state, it's the best library for a town of this size,” Yennerell said. “A lot of credit goes to Moore.” Moore, who will be staying in Springfield, is not going to sit on his laurels during the start of his retirement. “I’m going to take a couple of weeks to relax and putter around the house,” he said. “Then we’re going to do some traveling. We’re going to Sicily, Italy.” “Neither of us are Italian, but I love to cook it and eat it,” said Mary. “He loves the wine. And, he loves eating the food, too.” Moore will be replaced by Amy Howlett, who lives in Saxtons River and was formerly a library development consultant for the Vermont State Library. She starts her tenure at the library on Monday.