On Friday, a retirement celebration was held in the community room in honor of Bean, who worked at the library for 38 years, 37 as its director.
Bean, never one to seek the spotlight, said he was “totally embarrassed” by all the attention.
Later, he said he was “honored beyond words.”
Bean recalled working at the library’s check-out counter in 1973 when Peggy Verity, whom he called the “first lady of Middletown,” checked out a book.
Bean, of course, checked the back of the book and the card inside, and noticed the book was one day late.
Mrs. Verity owed 2 cents, and Bean told her. She paid her fine.
“Thanks for the two pennies, Mrs. Verity,” he said.
He has used that same financial stewardship for nearly the last four decades. Jim VonderHaar, president of the library board, credited Bean for “never settling for average, always striving for excellence.”
He praised Bean for pushing the library to always be first in technology.
Donna Vanderpool, who joined the library staff in 1975, two years after Bean, said what she’ll miss the most is his friendship.
“He is a great man,” she said.
Anita Carroll, the new library director, joked that replacing Bean was like taking the stage after Elvis.
She has worked with him for the last three weeks in preparation for taking over. She said Bean taught her the importance of being financially responsible, but also remembering people come first.
Some well-wishers said they didn’t want Bean to retire. They wanted him to change his mind, stick around a few more years. The Middletown Public Library system operates three libraries in Middletown, Trenton and West Chester Twp.
Toward the end of the retirement party, VonderHaar announced that the community room was being renamed the Doug L. Bean Community Room. Bean was presented a beautiful bronze relief that was sculpted by Cincinnati’s John Leon.
It was dated March 25, 2001.
Apparently, they were able to talk him into working 10 more years.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.
About the Author
