Dreams came true for library director

Marilyn Trosper is welcoming the New Year by beginning a new area of exploration: retirement.

The North Lake County Public Library director is retiring after 30 years with the district.

Assistant Director Abbi Dooley will succeed Trosper, 65.

For Trosper, the dreams that she wished came true.

“A lot of people cannot say they’ve been in a job that was the right fit, and so I’ve always looked at it as a ‘Cinderella’ career. I got to do exactly what I wanted to do. Not many people can say that,” she reflected.

Trosper’s story begins in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where she was born and raised.

Leading what she described as “a very sheltered childhood,” Trosper said that one of the places she was allowed to go was the local library.

“I would go to the public library after school to do homework, but I also just sat in that library and absorbed the atmosphere,” she explained, noting that she would watch the librarians do their job.

“I’ve always had this affinity for” working in a library, she said.

In high school, she worked with the school district, getting a summer job with the high school library.

That led to a lifelong friendship with the high school librarian, with whom Trosper said she still keeps in touch.

Working as an aide, she was trusted to help run the library when the librarian was out of town for work.

The head librarian and Trosper corresponded through letters, all of which Trosper has kept through the years.

The mentorship led to the head librarian supporting Trosper, allowing her to start her career in Lake County.

“She gave me a recommendation for this position” at the library in Polson.

Trosper’s husband, Brad, was stationed in Idaho Falls for six months with the Navy.

“I met him in the beginning of his tour and we were married by the end of it,” she said.

The couple came to Polson, Brad’s hometown.

It was through an opportunity with the Cub Scouts that Trosper heard of a position with the library.

“We were very heavily involved (with the Cub Scouts). One of the boys in our Cub Scout pack, his family was moving to Missoula,” Trosper began.

The boy’s mother contacted her for a transfer form to another pack, and was also working at the library in Polson.

Seizing the moment of opportunity, Trosper applied for the position.

“You can say I’ve been at the right place at the right time,” she said.

Explaining that her position is “fairly administrative,” Trosper said that because the library is a district, administration does accounting and payroll.

She has some accomplishments that she and her team have worked toward, including the library becoming a district seven years ago.

The move allowed the library to go from Polson city funding to mill levy funding.

Trosper is also proud of the youth programs that have flourished over the years.

“Youth programming is just one facet of the job,” she said.

At one point, she was in charge of story time for a decade.

She lobbied for a paid position to help with youth programs. That position grew from a few hours a week into a full time spot.

“We routinely rank really high in the state” with youth programs, in terms of attendance and types of programs offered.

Seeing herself as the roots of a tree, Trosper said the hiring of that additional employee added to the sprouted plant.

“When we hired (her), she made all these beautiful leaves blossom,” Trosper said, smiling.

Statewide, Trosper has served on committees, as well as being a member of the Montana Library Association, which led to two awards over the course of her career.

In 2011, she was named “Librarian of the Year” for the state, followed by a lifetime membership in the Montana Library Association in 2017.

“That to me, is gratifying,” she said.

Talking more about accomplishments of the library, Trosper said that in 2000, a group of western Montana libraries discussed collaborating on a state-wide catalog, that would allow patrons to search for a book and have it sent to their library to borrow, free of charge.

Taking two years to sort through details, 17 libraries met at the Polson location.

Those 17 libraries have grown to 180 across the state.

Trosper said through the years, she has had opportunities to work with “great” youth.

Due to the professional working environment provided by staff, Trosper said that one summer employee attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, and was able to do a work-study program.

He later went on to work at Microsoft, she said, adding, “that’s been really cool.”

Trosper said that once she officially retires, she plans on taking time with Brad, who is already in retirement, taking time to “explore” the country.

They also want to spend more time with their four grandchildren, she said.

Retirement will also allow Trosper to tend to her flower beds, work on her cross-stitch technique and learn to sew.

As for the library, Trosper has confidence in Dooley, with whom she has been working since March 2016.

“Abbi came in with a set of knowledge,” Trosper shared, saying that the new director has a marketing and finance background, which will help with the funding side of the position.

Overall, Trosper said she will miss working with the community, but she’s had fun for the duration, watching families grow up through the years.

“It’s been a pleasure to serve the community,” she said.

“Retiring is... I realize and recognize it’s time, and I do want to be doing other things, but at the same time, it’s hard to walk away from something that is so important.”