Middle school librarian retires

Carol Burns, Thermopolis Middle School librarian, will be retiring from the Hot Springs County School District at the end of the 2015-16 school year.

Burns said she has worked for the district for 15 years. In 2001, she worked part-time as a teacher's aid/tutor for students who needed extra attention. In 2002, she came on full-time as the librarian.

"I never had said anything to anybody, but the library is where I've always wanted to be," she said. "And I've been here ever since."

Working with students and coaching the Challenge of the Books are some of her favorite memories, Burns said.

"I love working with the kids," she said. "I was always a reader and I've worked with lots and lots of kids over the years. I've been coaching Challenge of the Books for the last five years and it's been a lot of fun."

Burns explained that Challenge of the Books is a reading comprehension competition where teams of students are challenged to read 12 books chosen by librarians, from the start of the school year till the competition. All 12 books must be read by the team, she said.

"This year we took second place in the competition," she said. "Coaching the Challenge of the Books is one thing I've really enjoyed doing as a librarian."

Burns said she will miss working for the school district.

"I'll miss the students and the staff, but I'll be around," she said. "I've loved working for this school and I'll miss it, but it's time. I have really enjoyed being here."

Burns said she has also helped out with Lights On with their sewing club and may continue to do so, even after retirement.

Traveling, spending time with family and starting a sewing business are all in the plans for Burns after retirement, she said.

"I have seven children and 18 grand-children with another one coming in July," she said. "None of them live in Wyoming, so I'll be traveling a lot to spend time with them. I also sew and I'm going to open a little sewing business out of my home."

The Independent Record will feature other school district retiree stories from now until the end of the school year.