Jenni Hargrave shares fondest memories after retiring from Geraldton Regional Library after almost 14 years

A Geraldton librarian has closed one chapter and opened another after retiring from Geraldton Regional Library after almost 14 years. Jenni Hargrave, co-ordinator of library services, intends to go off and explore the country and spend more time with her grandchildren. She has worked in libraries since 1990, ranging from school libraries to resource centres and finally Geraldton’s public library. Mrs Hargrave began her role at Geraldton Regional Library in 2009, just before the public library’s transition from its old Cathedral Avenue base next to the Civic Centre to its larger, newer space on Marine Terrace in 2010. She was part of creating that modern space that serves the community today, even helping design the floor plan. “Since then we’ve actually had several changes, particularly with the furniture and the shelving, because we when we first moved we still had the old timber shelving. Around 2017 we were successful in getting funding and we were able to get this new shelving and make a few changes to the layout of the library,” she said. Mrs Hargrave said the bright and open layout encouraged inclusivity for the whole community and that it was one of the nicest library spaces she’d worked in. “Some people don’t like having an opened library, but we believed that it was the right way to do it because that feels inclusive, like you haven’t blocked anybody off,” she said. Another bonus of the new shelving was having them on wheels. Mrs Hargrave said it enabled staff to utilise the floor space for annual events such as the Big Sky Festival. Actor Steve Bisley was one of Ms Hargrave’s standout guests, but she has no favourite. She said it was an absolutely wonderful experience being able to meet so many inspiring artists, as well as getting to know the local talent in Geraldton. When she began at Geraldton Regional Library, Mrs Hargrave was given the role of co-ordinating the Randolph Stow Young Writers Awards, and with the help of young adult fiction author Glyn Parry, she was able to build up the program every year from then on. “At that time I think there was only about just over 100 people attending and now we’re now up to 300,” she said. Mrs Hargrave said she was retiring to leave on a winning note, and although she didn’t feel old in her 60s, she wondered how much time she has left. “I want to try and make the most of it. I could wait another two years and something happens and then I never had the chance to do what I can do now,” she said. “I sort of think while I’m still willing and able and capable, it’s time to hand over the reins to somebody who’s younger, got fresh ideas, new ideas, different ideas and can take on the challenges. I probably could, but I’m not as young as I used to be and I get tired a lot quicker.”