Marshall Branch
Manager Deborah Cosby can still smell the books and the leather seats of the
bookmobile that visited her Baltimore neighborhood in the early 60’s.
“I could live on
that bookmobile,” she says.
Now, nearly 50
years later, the
Marshall branch library has replaced the beloved bookmobile of
her childhood.
The 1,600 sq. ft. library
is the “heart” of the community according to Debbie.
“New moms attending story time have a chance
to meet others and make new friendships.
And, older people form book clubs that lead to bridge clubs that lead to
walking clubs.”
“We have something
for everyone,” she proclaims.
She didn’t start
out as a branch manager.
From 1978 through
1982, she worked as an archives and reference librarian at the University of
Maryland.
She enjoyed working with
students and professors, answering questions that required the use of an
extensive card catalog and a huge reference collection.
“Stacks and stacks of books,” she
recalls.
“You’d walk for hours.”
“I loved that
job”, Debbie says.
“I thought I’d be
there forever.”
Fate intervened,
however, when her husband, Richard, could not find a job as a music teacher in
the area.
The couple reluctantly left
Baltimore and headed south to Lynchburg for one year and eventually landed in
Fauquier County.
Debbie, with her
two daughters, Amanda and Olivia, in tow, faithfully visited the Fauquier
Library.
In 1986, Library Director Pat
Downey called with a job offer as a part-time reference librarian.
Debbie readily accepted.
The schedule was
Monday and Tuesday nights, and every other weekend.
“The same schedule I work today”, Debbie
says, twenty-five years later.
In 1999, Debbie
accepted her current position as branch manager.
“The job was perfect for me at the time.
The girls were in high school and I had more
time to work,” she says.
Twelve years
later, Debbie relishes the role the branch library plays in the community.
She has no plans of retiring soon.
“I’d like to be here forever,” she
laughingly declares.
