CLAFLIN —  Argentine writer and journalist Carlos María Domínguez said, “To build up a library is to create a life. It’s never just a random collection of books.”

For 40 years, Claflin librarian Pam Atteberry has played an integral role giving students and other citizens access to knowledge while shaping lives and developing meaningful, life-long relationships. 

Atteberry currently serves as director of the Independent Township Library in Claflin, a position she has held since May, 2018 following a five-year period as a volunteer and substitute librarian. 

But she will be fondly remembered for her tenure as the librarian for Claflin High School. Atteberry retired from the school system in 2013 after enjoying 33 years not just as a librarian but also as the high school’s very first resource room paraprofessional. In her second year with the district, she was asked to take the library assistant job and worked half-time in each position before becoming the full-time library assistant at the start of the 1997-98 school year. Three years before her retirement from the district, Claflin USD 354 and Quivira Heights USD 328 merged to form Central Plains USD 112.

From an early age, Atteberry has always had a sense of delight for libraries. “I’ve always been a reader,” she said. “As a young girl I would go to the library in Larned with my father. He checked out western authors like Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour, while I checked out Nancy Drew mysteries. Libraries have always been a wondrous place for me.”

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Pawnee County, her history with the Claflin community dates back to the mid 1970s.

“We moved to Claflin in 1976 with our three children,” said Atteberry. “My mother was born here in Claflin and she felt like a circle had been completed when we moved here.” All three children are CHS alumni. She credits her fruitful experience with the school system to several people, namely six individuals.

“I was extremely fortunate to work with wonderful media specialists over the years,” Atteberry said. “Wanda Witt, Marilyn Thaete, Eleanor Bell, Barbara Winn, Dorian Hickel and Sharon Cooper always took the time to help me and I credit them for my successes.” 

With retirement on the horizon, Atteberry said she was ready to settle down to a slower pace of life.

“I loved my job, but retirement was looking pretty tempting,” she said. “So I retired in May of 2013 with no thought of working anywhere again.” 

But Atteberry kept busy, working as a volunteer at the library. “As I said, I had no intention of working again after retirement,” she said. “But I started volunteering a few hours a month in the library and also sometimes subbed when needed.”

According to Atteberry, her path to the Independent Township Library director’s position was the result of an accident. “When my predecessor, Judy Wondra, fell and badly injured her leg, she called me to sub,” said Atteberry. “Sadly, she was not able to return to the job she loved. When it became apparent she would not be coming back, the library board opened the position. I applied for it and was hired.”

Making the transition from a school setting to a public library was not difficult for Atteberry, although she noted a few differences between the two. “I still get to share my love of reading and learning with people, only now it’s with people of all ages,” she said. “I had to broaden my knowledge in terms of popular authors and interests for many age groups, rather than concentrating on teenagers’ likes and needs. And I don’t have to do bulletin boards anymore.”

Part of her job as library director is receiving professional development training which is offered through the cooperation of all library systems in Kansas. She said the courses, most of which are online, include library law, budgeting, ethics and customer service. “There was homework, of course, and deadlines to meet,” she said. “The classes were recorded and archived online, which was very helpful when I didn’t understand something. And that happened often.” 

Atteberry said libraries have always been in the forefront when it comes to anticipating and responding to a changing society, especially challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Even though we can’t have in-person programs right now such as summer reading, story hour and other types of activities, we figured out how to do them virtually,” said Atteberry. “Our library workshops and our national conferences are also held virtually, allowing us to keep learning, to keep in touch with our colleagues and to keep up with new happenings in the library world.”

She credits her continual love of reading and learning to her career longevity. 

What does she miss most about working for the school district? “That’s easy – I miss the kids,” she said. “Teenagers are wonderful, unique individuals who grow up to become wonderful adults. I miss being able to see that transformation.”

But she also mentioned the perks of working in the community. “Now that I’m at the public library, I’ve met many people who I didn’t know before and am so glad I can now call them friends,” said Atteberry. “Connecting people with books is an awesome thing.”