Needham Librarian Retires After 65 Years; $10K Donation Made

NEEDHAM, MA —Ann MacFate, who has been involved with Needham Library since 1956, will retire Tuesday, the Needham Times reports. In honor of her retirement, which is on the same day as her birthday, Friends of Needham Public Library and The Library Foundation will donate $10,000 to the Ann MacFate Trust Fund for the Visually Impaired. The fund will sponsor large-print books and software for visually impaired readers.

MacFate began volunteering for the library in high school, and was offered a clerk job after graduating. Over 65 years, she oversaw the library’s expansion in 1961, layoffs and budget cuts in 1991, the 2004 renovation, and the addition of new technology, staff, and and services.

"I walked through the doors, this building and I say I built this. I was on the building committee and that was wonderful. It was a great experience working with the permanent public building committee that the town has," MacFate told The Times.

Click here to read the full report in The Needham Times.