'It changed my life for sure.' Library director Sherie Brown retiring after 43-year career

Amy L. Knapp, The Independent
·4 min read
Massillon Public Library Director Sherie Brown is set to retire in May. She began working part-time in cataloging and selecting the library's vinyl record collection in 1979. Since then she has held various roles, including head of the reference desk.
Massillon Public Library Director Sherie Brown is set to retire in May. She began working part-time in cataloging and selecting the library's vinyl record collection in 1979. Since then she has held various roles, including head of the reference desk.

MASSILLON ‒ It was serendipitous that Sherie Brown, then a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati, would be back home in Stark County and spot a help-wanted ad in The Canton Repository.

"I was just hanging out at home," she said. "I was planning to go back to Cincinnati where my friends were and go to grad school. I saw the ad and I had worked at the campus library so I thought, 'Why not try that?'"

The Massillon Public Library needed someone to select and catalog the library's vinyl record collection.

"I played the piano and knew Beethoven from Bach," she joked. "(Librarian) Ethel Conrad called and told me I was hired. It changed my life for sure."

That was more than 43 years ago.

This photo of Sherie Brown appeared in the Sept. 28, 1984, edition of The Independent. The photo was showing off the new browsing bins constructed for the library's 3,000-album collection.
This photo of Sherie Brown appeared in the Sept. 28, 1984, edition of The Independent. The photo was showing off the new browsing bins constructed for the library's 3,000-album collection.

Brown will retire in May. An open house in her honor will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the library, 208 Lincoln Way E. The public is invited.

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'No plans to work at the library'

When Brown was hired for the part-time job in August of 1979, she didn't see herself in a library career.

But life changed. She met Gary, a 1978 Washington High grad, and dropped her plans to return to Cincy. She and Gary married in 1980.

During her time at the library, she began working full time and later was put in charge of the young adult materials.

When former director Camille Leslie joined the library staff, she created a reference department and put Brown in charge, a job she held for 25 years.

Sherie Brown joined the Massillon Public Library staff in 1979 selecting and cataloging the library's vinyl record collection. She later served as head of the reference desk and later became library director in 2011. She is retiring after a 43-year career at the library.
Sherie Brown joined the Massillon Public Library staff in 1979 selecting and cataloging the library's vinyl record collection. She later served as head of the reference desk and later became library director in 2011. She is retiring after a 43-year career at the library.

As the library world evolved, so did Brown's role as head of the department. With the advent of new technology, she also directed the library's tech needs, including writing a grant to bring the first internet connection.

"I have a picture of me demonstrating the internet to (former state Sen.) Kirk Schuring and (state Rep.) Scott Oelslager," she recalled. "It was a big deal."

She was named director in 2011 when Leslie retired.

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Brown has seen a lot of changes from technology, how books and other materials are delivered to patrons as well as the evolving items and programming the library offers.

"I hate to steal this but last week when the library was named the Massillon WestStark Chamber of Commerce non-profit of the year, (presenter) Kathy Shultz said the library has gone from collections to connections," Brown said.

The library no longer is just a place to get a good book to read but it is much more, she said. From partnering with other people and organizations to providing technology classes to meeting people in their community, the library has become an integral part of everyday life.

"There is so much connecting people to each other and things they need," she said.

Sherie Brown was a jack of all trades during her 43-year-career at the Massillon Public Library. In this photo she shows off books, computers, film materials offered at the library while wearing roller skates.
Sherie Brown was a jack of all trades during her 43-year-career at the Massillon Public Library. In this photo she shows off books, computers, film materials offered at the library while wearing roller skates.

'Anything worth doing is worth overdoing'

Laura Klein, the library's children's services and special projects manager, first met Brown in 1982 and has admired her professionally and personally.

"Sherie has been a mentor to many, a caring supervisor and co-worker, and a role model," Klein said. "Her work ethic is exemplified by one of her favorite quotes, 'Anything worth doing is worth overdoing,' which has variously been attributed to David Letterman, Mick Jagger, and fallen Navy SEAL Shane Patton."

Brown, Klein said, will be missed for her enthusiasm, willingness to serve the public, and her 'find-a-way-to-say-yes' attitude.

Sherie Brown, left, replaced Camille Leslie, right, as director of the Massillon Library when she retired in 2011.
Sherie Brown, left, replaced Camille Leslie, right, as director of the Massillon Library when she retired in 2011.

In an email, Jim Chatterton, president of the Friends of Massillon Public Library, praised Brown and her work with not only the library and the Friends group but also for her devotion to the Massillon community.

Brown, a 1975 Hoover High School graduate, embraced her new home in Tigertown. She spent the past 12 years playing the Tigers' calliope. She retired from the gig last year.

"I absolutely feel the library is in a good place," Brown said. "The award we received (from the chamber) reenforces that. We have a great reputation among other libraries. That is evident by how many applications were received (for the director). I wouldn't have left during the pandemic but I think we really held it together and it is a good time."

Twenty-six applied for the director's job, including four internal candidates. Three of those internal candidates were among eight semifinalists interviewed this week. Three to four finalists will move on to the final round, Brown said, adding the candidates will spend a day with the library board and another with library staff before the new director is selected.

Massillon Public Library Director Sherie Brown is set to retire in May. She began working part-time in the cataloging and selecting the library's vinyl record collection in 1979. Since then she has held various roles including head of the reference desk.
Massillon Public Library Director Sherie Brown is set to retire in May. She began working part-time in the cataloging and selecting the library's vinyl record collection in 1979. Since then she has held various roles including head of the reference desk.

Brown's official retirement date is May 31 but she will be in and out as she takes some earned vacation. She hopes to be able to work with the new director before leaving.

"I will be sad but we have travel plans and our children are moving back home," she said noting her 3-year-old and 1-year-old grandsons have moved next door and she's enjoying her time with them. "It's just a good time to be together with family."

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

Sherie Brown joins staff members from the Massillon Public Library at Halloween.
Sherie Brown joins staff members from the Massillon Public Library at Halloween.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Retiring Massillon Library director to be honored during open house