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Sentinel Photo/TRAVIS MORSE
RETIRING DIRECTOR — Brehm Library Director Bill Pixley, RIGHT, was honored for his years of service during a special retirement reception Tuesday night at C.E. Brehm Memorial Public Library. Also pictured are Library Board President Amanda Crider, LEFT, and Pixley’s wife Sharon.
Long-time Brehm Library director to retire
By TRAVIS MORSE
Sentinel Photo/TRAVIS MORSE
GLASS PLAQUE — Retiring Brehm Library Director Bill Pixley reads the inscription on his retirement gift, a glass plaque, during a retirement reception Tuesday at the library.
MOUNT VERNON — For Bill Pixley, it’s been a great ride serving as director of C.E. Brehm Memorial Public Library, but all good things must come to an end.
Pixley, who has been library director since 2009, will officially retire from his position on March 31. After that, Assistant Director Esther Curry will take over as director.
“It’s time to retire,” Pixley said of his decision, later adding of his plans after retirement, “I will be taking my grandson to Special Olympics.”
Pixley was honored for his many years of service at Tuesday night’s Brehm Library Board of Trustees meeting. A reception was held for him at the beginning of the meeting, featuring gifts, cake, a card and kind remarks from his friends and colleagues. Pixley’s gift was a specially designed glass plaque with a message engraved on it, recognizing his years of service to the library. The inscription reads: “In appreciation for your service and dedication to C.E. Brehm Memorial Library January 2009 – March 2025 – The Board of Trustees.”
“We’re going to miss Bill a lot,” Curry said. “He’s been here for so long, he’s part of the furniture. … I know he’s been a good director to work under and to learn from, and so I’m looking forward to a new chapter for myself.”
Library Board President Amanda Crider also spoke highly of her time working with Pixley.
“I’ve worked with him since 2013 on the board, and he has been great to work with,” Crider said.
Pixley said that he looks back fondly on his time as library director, and there are many things that he is proud of. In particular, he singled out several of the programs that were thought of by his staff.
“First, I’m proud of the people who work for me,” Pixley said. “They’ve been coming up with great ideas on their own. We’ve got a Horror Book Club, a game collection, a puzzle collection, a specialty cake pan collection and free faxing for the public. All (of) that was come up with by the staff.”
Pixley also mentioned the library’s outreach to the public through the Brehm Library newsletter and through Facebook and electronic signs. In addition, he highlighted the programs that the library has for adults, which Pixley started when he began working at the facility. These include concerts, history programs, magic presentations, gardening programs, craft programs and more.
Tuesday night was Pixley’s last Library Board meeting as director. His last event for the library as director will be this month’s Game Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 29 at Brehm Library. The public is invited to attend.
Brehm Library is located at 101 S. Seventh St. in Mount Vernon. For more information, contact the library at (618) 242-6322 or visit the library’s website.
