February was more than just a month for Cupid to sharpen his arrow. It was also National Library Lover’s Month, which is dedicated to folks who adore libraries and all the books, resources and other fountains of knowledge contained within.
To celebrate the magic of reading, we spoke with Pat, resident Library Committee chair at our Macon senior living community. This veteran high school librarian joined the Carlyle Place family in 2023, and now spends her days curating the collections in our main library, as well as various displays and nooks throughout our community. By the time you’re finished reading her story, you might feel the urge to curl up with a good book yourself!
We Had Her at “Hello” with Our Beautiful Campus and Friendly People
Before turning the page and moving to Carlyle Place, Pat lived with her husband Charles in Columbus, Georgia. When Charles passed away, Pat’s son, who lives in Macon, suggested that she should move closer to him. Pat, however, was hesitant at first.
“I wanted to let some time go by before I made any big moves,” she explains. “However, my son set up three appointments at other communities, in addition to Carlyle Place, just to have a look. But after one hour with Life Plan Consultant Laura McMaster at Carlyle Place, I wanted to move in the next day! It’s so divinely beautiful and such a welcoming community of people who’ve lived all over the world and held every type of profession.”
Just before her move, Pat had to decide what to do with the volumes of research her husband, a chemist who studied the longleaf pine tree, had stored in their Columbus home. So, she turned to (where else?) a library. “I called the Columbus State University archives, and they took all of his papers, and anything related to his research,” she says. “Now you can look them up in the university’s online catalog.”
For her new home at our Macon senior living community, Pat chose a two-bedroom floor plan, and has wasted no time transforming it into a curated collection of treasures. “My son is an abstract artist, and my daughter is a photographer, so my walls are covered with their work,” she says. Other unique conversation pieces include Native American pottery, handmade wood carvings and a 100-year-old meditation rocker that once belonged to Pat’s mother. “It’s like a living, breathing museum,” she beams.
“Pure Joy” Comes from Being Passionate About What You Do
It’s no surprise that Pat was drawn to our Macon senior living community’s Library Committee. “I learned to read in a one-room schoolhouse, and it was magical when those little black squiggles began to form words,” she recalls. “From that moment, I knew I wanted to become a librarian.” One master’s degree later, Pat embarked on what would become a half-century library career—and she shows no signs of slowing down. “I ‘retired’ at 73, but here I can keep working until I’m 100,” she says. “Every day is part of National Library Lover’s Month for me. It’s pure joy.”
According to Pat, 2024 was a busy year for the Library Committee. “We circulated 2,627 books—and added about 900 more. Sometimes I have to remind myself to eat,” she laughs. Pat also gives props to the other members of the committee. “It’s a team effort,” she stresses. “In addition to curating, cataloging and circulating books, we create displays focused on authors and themes, like Black History Month in February.”
One of Pat’s favorite things about librarianship is the opportunity to serve others—in fact, one of the first changes she and the Library Committee made was to open the library to all Carlyle Place employees. “I love it when people ask me for help finding a book,” she says. As you might expect, folks love well-known authors like John Grisham, Danielle Steel and Agatha Christie. But Pat delights in finding hidden gems as well. “One exquisite writer l discovered is Claire Keegan, author of Small Things Like These. Her skill with the written word takes my breath away,” Pat exclaims.
When she’s not in the library, Pat volunteers at her church, sings in the Carlyle Place chorus and works out at our Renaissance Wellness Center. “The weight room is fabulous, because I don’t have to drive there—and there are no clanging barbells,” she says. “Best of all, my bones are the strongest they’ve been in years.” Pat also manages to find time for two book clubs and classes at the Wesleyan Academy of Lifelong Learning.
More Than Just Books … A Place to Form Social Connections for Seniors
Frequenting the library is a great way for seniors to cultivate mental wellness, but it also contributes to a meaningful social life—especially at Carlyle Place retirement community in Macon. Every Wednesday morning, the library serves up coffee and conversation, which usually includes tasty scones or muffins from the dining room. Pat loves to arrange informative lectures from authors and expert speakers, too. This month, the head of a local library’s genealogy department will be here to discuss the book Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom.
Another thing folks notice is how beautiful and cozy the library space is at Carlyle Place—and that’s no accident. “Elizabeth Fletcher, who’s on the staff, makes all the signage for us. She has such a keen eye for design,” Pat says. “And the brilliant artwork on the walls was created by Harold, one of my good friends here.” No wonder the library has become such a popular gathering place. “People come here to write letters, prepare their taxes or just meet with friends,” she says. “It’s so heartwarming.”
And if folks can’t make it to the library, Pat is happy to take the library to them. “I have a small cart that I fill with books for the people living in Harrington House,” she explains. “One lady there is 94 and she reads a book a day. It’s a privilege to spread such cheer.”
Start Your Next Chapter at Our Senior Living Community in Macon
Active seniors from all walks of life have found Carlyle Place to be the perfect setting for pursuing their passions—from art to Zumba and everything in between. “No matter which stage of life you’re in, you can delight in the people you’re with and the work that you do,” Pat says.
Discover how Carlyle Place inspires seniors like Pat to pursue their passions. Schedule your visit today by calling 478-405-4500.
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