HOWELL — It’s been over 40 years since Diane McKee began working at the Howell Carnegie District Library. In that time, she’s left her mark.
McKee is the library’s business office manager. She celebrated her fortieth anniversary of full-time employment surrounded by colleagues and friends during a special luncheon May 14.
Before starting at the Carnegie, McKee worked for a pharmaceutical wholesaler in Novi. However, a car with no air conditioning and the relentless commute pushed the Brighton resident to seek something closer to home.
She spotted an advertisement in the paper for a clerical job at the Carnegie — and the rest is history.
“The only thing I knew about the (Carnegie Library) was, when you go to Brighton High School, this is where you came to (learn how to) parallel park,” she said. “Never did I think I would spend 40 years parallel parking here.”
McKee’s role has evolved significantly since 1986. These days, she does a little bit of everything. She’s in charge of items like book purchasing, payroll and other clerical work.
As she reflected on the last four decades, McKee said it’s hard to pick one favorite memory. Instead, she said, she’s always appreciated the flexibility and understanding from her colleagues — especially while she was raising children.
“We have a good group of people here who like what they do,” she said.
Kathleen Murray, communications coordinator, has worked at the Carnegie for 24 years. She called McKee “the most generous person.”
“Diane could have done anything she wanted to do and she chose to do this,” Murray said. “I think she truly, after 40 years, still believes in the mission of the library — and that’s saying something.”
— Contact reporter Makayla Coffee at mcoffee@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: ‘She chose to do this’ McKee celebrates 40 years at Carnegie Library
Reporting by Makayla Coffee, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
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