You are invited to help us celebrate Cindy Long and send her off into retirement with all our best wishes.  Join us in the Genealogy Department at the Main Library on Sunday, November 16, from 2 - 4 p.m. This is a drop-in event, but remarks will be made at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Cindy has been with the library for more than 18 years. Before she leaves us, we decided to ask her a few questions. Read on to find out what Cindy's favorite kinds of books are, her thoughts on the library, her retirement plans, and more.

Q. & A. with Cindy Long

When did you start working for the library endowment? 

I started working for the library endowment on June 17, 2007.

Will you tell us in a sentence or two what the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust is? 

The Endowment Trust was set up to provide financial support for the library not only now but also in the future. Donations perpetuate and grow.  A percentage of funds are used annually to help the library with needs that are not in the regular annual budget.

What kind of work did you do before you came to work at the library? 

I worked at United Way of Fort Smith for four years as a campaign director. I started my career as an elementary school teacher but switched career paths along the way due to an opportunity to get into nonprofits and fundraising.

Do you remember what motivated you to want to work at the library? 

I met Jennifer Goodson, Library Director, when we were both going through Leadership Fort Smith. She had e-mailed our class the job posting for an Endowment Officer. I thought about who I knew that I could share the job description with and decided I would apply. I felt it would be a wonderful opportunity to use the skills I had learned at United Way to help the library and raise funds for their endowment.

Describe the Fort Smith Public Library in three words. 

Welcoming, Beautiful, Important

How has the library changed in the 18 years you’ve worked here? 

I love to hold and read books, but the digital components and offerings have changed rapidly over the years.

What has been your favorite part about working at the library? 

My library family!

What’s your favorite library service? 

Audiobooks

Is there a memory or moment in time from your work at the library that especially stands out? 

COVID changed everything. We held the endowment’s annual fundraiser, Black Tie Bingo, as a drive-thru event for two years due to the pandemic.

Finish this sentence:  The thing I’ll miss most about working in the library is…

My library family.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about either the library or library staff? 

That everyone that works at a library is a librarian

What are you most looking forward to about retirement? 

Seeing my grandsons and family a lot more. Also, when it is cold or rainy sitting by the fireplace and reading a book.

Do you have a favorite book? 

I don’t have a favorite book, but I love to read historical fiction.

Is there anything else you’d like to add or an answer to a question you wish we'd asked? 

Eighteen years have flown by. Thank you to the Fort Smith Public Library and Endowment Trust Board, Library Staff, Advisory Board, and community supporters for your support for me as I served as Endowment Director. It has been an honor.