Sharon Kirkpatrick has been named the new director of the De Soto Public Library.
Kirkpatrick, a retired teacher, replaces Karen Graham who was the library director from April 2021 to July 26. Graham agreed to work remotely as interim director until a replacement was hired. Kirkpatrick’s first day on the job was Feb. 3.
Graham said her starting annual salary in 2021 was $40,000 and her final salary was $48,400. Kirkpatrick’s starting salary will be $43,000.
The library does not offer any benefits other than accrued sick time and vacation time, Graham said.
Kirkpatrick, 51, grew up in Lemay and now lives in Barnhart. She retired from Northwest High School in 2023 after 25 years of teaching special education. After that, she worked in retail for a short time.
She said when the library posted the director opening, she thought the job would be perfect for her.
“I was ready to go back to being with students and parents and being in an education-type environment, which this is,” Kirkpatrick said. “I love books and helping people further their education. That’s important to me.”
Kirkpatrick said she likes that De Soto is a small community.
“I really like it here because I get to know all the people who come in … like the regulars,” she said.
Kirkpatrick said a lot of people with special needs visit the library, and she especially enjoys working with them.
She said the library offers important services for free.
“People come here to use the computers,” she said. “Somebody yesterday checked out a telescope. They check out books. There are a lot of resources here …”
Kirkpatrick said the library staff members have been helpful and nice.
“It’s a great place to be,” she said.
She said she hopes to apply for and receive grants to further improve the building and the services the library offers, adding that the library needs new computers
Kirkpatrick has three adult children and two cats and a dog. When she is not working, she enjoys listening to music and reading American literature. Her favorite authors are John Steinbeck, Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway.
Graham said she will continue to help out for the next month or so until Kirkpatrick is comfortable in her new position.
Graham and her husband, Mike, moved to Florida to be closer to their daughter, and Graham took a position as director at the library at Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
She said she enjoyed her years at the De Soto Library.
“I love this community, I love the staff and the patrons,” Graham told the City Council at the July meeting. “Thank you for all the support you have given me.”
City officials said the library, at 712 S. Main St., is funded with revenue from a 33.69-cent property tax. It also receives 1.5 percent of De Soto’s annual general sales tax revenue.