Commissioner Greg Partch praises Marie's work during Wednesday's ceremony

Local officials and community members gathered at the Colfax Library Nov. 3 to honor Marie Doak's retirement from service at Whitman County Library. County Commissioner Greg Partch presented Marie with words of thanks on behalf of the County and a letter from State Librarian Jan Walsh was also read. Friends of the Library president Virginia Pittman and Director Kristie Kirkpatrick also made presentations on behalf of the Library's Trustees, staff and Friends group.

Marie served in a number of positions in her 32 years at the library but is best remembered by many residents for her work on the bookmobile. Marie drove the mobile library to the furthest reaches of Whitman County, making stops in towns and rural schools, at highway crossings and in peoples homes. She delivered books to places like Hooper, Pine City, Johnson and Hay. The impact of the bookmobile was such that people still get teary eyed when reminiscing about it.