BENSON, Ariz.– After 16 years of captivating young minds with her storytelling and craft lessons, Ms. Pat Doolan, 84, is retiring from her role. A beloved local figure, Ms. Pat’s departure comes as the city repurposes her longtime space for office use at the Benson Public Library, a move that has sparked controversy among residents.
Ms. Pat has been a fixture in the community, delighting children with her animated readings and creative craft sessions. With a well-stocked collection of craft materials, she seamlessly transitioned each story into a hands-on activity, bringing books to life for local children. However, the city’s decision to use the library space for city employees has led to widespread frustration with the city's handling of the move.
City Manager Greg Volker explained that the city is facing a lack of office space, which is unavailable in the current City Hall annex. To address this issue, the library will undergo upgrades, including new carpeting, ceiling tile replacements, and repairs to a water leak in the ceiling. While the story time program will continue in a different section of the library, the new location is significantly smaller. With Ms. Pat leaving, craft lessons will also end. Not only does she not have the space to store the supplier herself, it would be too burdensome to bring the supplies for each lesson.
“We fully intend to keep story time, reading materials, and speaking engagements available in the library,” Volker stated. “We’ve also arranged for a location at the city recreation center to be available during the summer when attendance increases with schools out.”
The community’s reaction to the change has been mixed, with many expressing disappointment over the loss of Ms. Pat’s dedicated space for her and her supplies. Despite the shift, Ms. Pat remains optimistic about the future of the program. Originally from Connecticut, she plans to take a well-deserved break, including her annual trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. However, she reassures the community that she will return in the fall to help out when she is available, although the program will continue under new leadership.
As Benson adjusts to these changes, residents will undoubtedly cherish the legacy Ms. Pat leaves behind—one of stories, creativity, and a deep love for nurturing young imaginations and providing education for the next generation.
The city hopes to build a new City Hall within the next two years to accommodate the growing staff.
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