Eloise with Jim Minges & Ken Woods
Eloise Bennett has been named NEKLS 2009 Volunteer of the Year in recognition of over 25 years of service at Williamsburg Community Library. Eloise’s steadfast effort has resulted in a library that offers many of the services found in larger communities. Until 2008, the library was run solely by volunteers, with Eloise acting as Director from 1986 until February, 2009. In 2005, Williamsburg was awarded a KAN-STEP grant for a new library building. Eloise helped to obtain the grant, to raise the required matching funds, to coordinate work crews – and even labored herself to see the project to fruition. After retiring as director, Eloise became the liaison officer for the library, assisting the new director with public relations and coordinating volunteers. During an awards ceremony at NEKLS Fall Assembly, Eloise gave an inspiring acceptance speech imploring others to find personal satisfaction, as she has, through service to their communities.
Teri Nelson is the Staff Assistant at NEKLS. You can reach her by email (tnelson (at) nekls.org), phone, or on the Google Chat instant messaging platform (look Teri up by her email address). Visit the 
