catalog | locations | reference | youth | news | links

PAST NEWS ARCHIVE
July 17, 2001
Contact: Patricia Fraga
(512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442

Library Assistant Director retires after 27 years of service to the community

It all began for Cynthia Kidd in 1974—at the corner of Chimney Corners and Far West Boulevard in a library mobile station—a stationary book mobile. Back then, the library system placed trailers out in neighborhoods to pilot and assess the needs for building a permanent branch library. The location is now home of the Old Quarry Branch. Cynthia began as a paraprofessional at the Austin Public Library after leaving a job as Government Documents Librarian at the State Library of Ohio. Excited and wanting adventure and a fresh start, she headed for Austin. Having a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, Cynthia was looking for a professional position and applied for one at the University of Texas. She was offered a position and informed the Library Associate Director (at the time), David Price, of her offer and immediately APL counter-offered a position. APL knew what a valued employee she was for the system. Through the years she has served as a Reference Librarian, held Branch Manager positions at Manchaca Road Branch, Oak Springs Branch, and Windsor Village Branch, and headed the Branch Services Division.

She has been Assistant Director for nine years, where she has led various programs through out the library system. She has chaired the Library's Culture and Diversity Committee and APL Staff Relations Committee, and she was one of the trainers during the City of Austin Creativity and Total Quality Management programs. "Cynthia has always provided warm and caring support for staff, sensitive, helpful assistance to Library customers, and has assisted me with spirit and a sense of humor. We will be losing a dedicated colleague and a good friend," said Brenda Branch, Library Director.

"I have loved and served the Austin Public Library and I am proud to have worked for the City of Austin for all these years," said Cynthia Kidd. "I will truly miss the Library staff and the citizens of Austin, but I also look forward to my next adventure in life."

Kidd is an avid horse rider and trainer, and as a woman in the 9^th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers, portrays Cathay Williams, who hid her gender to join an all-male black unit following the Civil War. Cynthia will retire to her half a dozen horses where she will raise and train horses on a daily basis. If we are lucky (at the Library) we will catch a glimpse of her or have a cup of coffee with Cynthia at one of her (our) Libraries!

A special City and Library reception will take place at the Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe Street, on Friday, July 27, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a ceremony at 3:00 p.m.

###