Abrahamson inspired many
By James Card
Sue Abrahamson, the youth librarian at the Waupaca Area Public Library, will retire in early January.
Adults who bring their children to the library now remember her reading books to them when they were children. Over the years, Abrahamson influenced thousands of Waupaca-area youth to read and learn about the world around them.
“My family has been coming to the library since before I was born, so Sue became another grandparent to me. She taught me the two most important things in life, to be curious and to be excited. Sue is the reason I work at the library today and I hope to share the library to our community the same way she shared it with me,” said Simon Baumgart.
Abrahamson started working at the library in 1996 as an assistant youth librarian. She was promoted to head of Youth Services in June 2003. She was the Youth Services Liaison for the Outagamie Waupaca Library System and involved in Youth Services Section (YSS) for Wisocnsin Library Association holding a variety of positions, including chair.
“To have the chance to work with Sue Abrahamson this past year has been a blessing. She is an incredible advocate and leader in Waupaca and the larger library community. Her commitment to service is an inspiration to everyone who has had the opportunity to get to know her,” said Eric Bailey, director of the Waupaca Library.
Her former supervisor and now-retired library director Peg Burington said, “Sue Abrahamson spent her career connecting with kids and families. Her passion is children’s literacy. She is known for her expertise in this area not only in Wisconsin but nationally. While she took her job seriously she was always looking for a way to inject fun into the equation. Her outstanding leadership and enthusiasm for community helped put Waupaca and the Waupaca Library on the map.”
Abrahamson is married, has two adult daughters and is a grandmother. In an interview with the Wisconsin Library association’s Youth Services blog, she said she was not a reader as a child.
“On my 13th birthday, my brother gave me a book of short stories and I threw it back at him, not knowing what I was supposed to do with a gift like that. I was the child the public librarian watched immediately upon entering the library. I think I might have heard her say, ‘Get what you need and leave.’ Hence, my dedication not to be that person,” she said.
“I’ve been using the Waupaca library my whole life, but it was through many chats with Sue after Babygarten or Story Time, that I knew I wanted to work with her. Her ideas and passion for helping kids and families is inspiring. I have now spent the last 6.5 years trying to learn everything I can from Sue. We will ensure that her hard work is carry carried on,’ said Molly Reinke, the library’s programming and outreach coordinator.