Blaine Library bids farewell to Macheras after 32 years of helping readers

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After 32 years at the Blaine library, Patty Macheras is retiring from a devoted career as a public service assistant that allowed her to share her love for storytelling with the community.

“It helped to know a little about a lot of stuff, rather than to know a lot about a little,” she said. “We’re sort of detectives and mystery solvers. Whether it’s looking for stuff people need, or looking for a book that’s misplaced, there’s always a challenge.”

Macheras first joined the library in 1989, two years after moving to Blaine to be closer to family in B.C. She joined the new library at 610 3rd Street only a few months following the library’s move from its spot in the police department, which Macheras describes as smaller than the current children’s section.

On an average day, Macheras organizes curbside bags, answers patrons’ questions and helps people navigate information online. But of all of Macheras’ roles, she says she favors working with youth the most. From hosting Halloween library parties to being there when the last school bell rings, Macheras said she’s worked to entertain Blaine youth.

“I can still remember that age 14,” she said. “I still remember how it felt, so I get it.”

Macheras said she enjoys seeing youth return to the library as adults, with one teenage girl standing out in particular. Macheras overheard the girl bragging about going to juvenile detention and approached the girl to ask why she thought going to jail was cool. Years later, the girl visited Macheras after applying for a professional job.

“I’ve had people return many times over the years,” Macheras said. “Or you see them come back, and they’re kids you knew when they were little, and now they’re bringing their kids.”

Blaine Library branch manager Debby Farmer first met Macheras when Farmer first moved to Blaine. She was looking for a home and Macheras, who also has a real estate license, offered to be Farmer’s agent. Little did they know, Farmer would work with Marcheras when Farmer started at the library in 2003.

“She really was invested in this place. It was a part of her and she was a part of it,” Farmer said. “She has such a desire to help people with whatever they need help with. It was her mission to find the correct information for someone and she would research something to death. She was so thorough because she cared about getting the correct information to folks.”

Macheras said she decided to retire now, in part, because the pandemic provided the right timing but saying goodbye to the children and regular patrons has been the hardest part. In retirement, she hopes to play tennis in Semiahmoo, sell more real estate and visit four grandchildren in Tacoma. Her last day is Wednesday, March 31.

“It’s in her DNA to find the right read for someone and she really takes pride in that,” Farmer said. “She loves to have conversations. She’s been great for the library and she’s been great for the community. She’s really touched a lot of lives.”

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