On Friday [December 12], patrons, friends, co-workers, admirers and acquaintances will have an opportunity to say fare-thee-well to Annie Busch, the executive director of the Springfield-Greene County District who has given our avid book-reading community 23 years of innovative, visionary and exemplary service.

A reception for the public will be held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Library Center. At 4:30 p.m., Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Jim Anderson will emcee a brief presentation. As part of the ceremony, author David Harrison will read an "Ode to Annie," a poem he wrote especially for this retirement event.

On July 22, 1985, Busch was a newly hired reference librarian. A few months later, she was named manager of the former Kickapoo Prairie Branch, then one of six library outlets in Greene County. Her quick rise foreshadowed what would come later when Busch was named the eighth head of the Library District in November 1989.

Now, the District numbers ten branches, including two award-winning destination facilities, the Library Center and the Library Station, and images of her through the years have endured for many, such as current Library Board of Trustees President Cherri Jones:

"I see so many images of her. . .at a podium with a warm smile as she speaks to her audience, at the Library Center listening attentively to a patron, at the grand opening of the Park Central Branch, introducing a staff member to a group, making the rounds in Jefferson City at a legislative event, presenting a longtime staff member with a photo album, leaning over to receive her stole after receiving an honorary doctorate from Missouri State University and cheerfully holding her granddaughter at the reception afterwards, discussing a new project with the library board, and, best of all, the image of Annie in all sorts of venues, discussing her newest vision for the Library District.

"I look forward to my next images of Annie as she moves forward toward new challenges."

Added State Senator Norma Champion: "The contemporary style and warmth of the Library Center, the thematic appeal of the Library Station, the innovation found at the Park Central Branch and the addition of the Strafford Branch are indications that [Annie Busch], the staff and the Board of Trustees have. .made our library system not only nationally recognized, but very much in touch with its patrons."

Come January, the Library District will have a new director, but this month all the kudos and compliments go to Annie Busch.