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oanne Tate has always ]been close to her mother. The two women have shared many a memory, from trips and holidays, to discussions relating to a favourite piece of literature. And that bond will strengthen this fall when mother and daughter share a significant milestone: retirement. End of a chapter ‘Tate, who has been this city‘s chief librarian since 1989, will call it a career this Friday. Her mother, who is 84 years old, will also conclude her longâ€"time career as a piano teacher in the comâ€" ing weeks. "I guess not many peoâ€" ple can say they‘re retiring the same time as a parent," Tate said with a chuckle. But she also said it‘s the right time in her own life to make this move. "I‘ve been doing this for a long time now," she said. "I recently found out at a meeting of chief librarians that I‘m the oldest living member. That was a shock. "As time passes, while you continue to enjoy your work, you also realize it‘s time to try some different." Waterloo‘s chief librarian calls it a career Tate has been a chief librarian since 1979, when she replaced the thenâ€"chief librarian in the city of Ajax, near her home town of Toronto. Tate said she‘d been interested in a head posiâ€" tion with a library since earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo, and then a library degree at the University of Western Ontario in London. "Growing up, I always loved going to the library," she said. "When 1 was a child in the 1950s, there wasn‘t a lot families could do that didn‘t cost a lot of money. The library was something we could use a lot, without worrying about the cost." That pastime led to a passion for reading â€" a passion in which Tate still induilges today. LUKQTA ARTHRITIS PAIN RELILEF! ‘Lakota kills pain NATURALLY! Sangsters Health Center. 75 King St 8 Waterioo . ‘Lakota helps prevcntdjomt cartilage degeneration! FemBeimrood irig comian se in anchener ‘Lakota is recommended b{/ Pharmacists _ td Kncnion commrnt t t felons ave W Ritchenes and Natural Health Consultants Nationwide! Fddicheads Health & Nutrion: 48 Angtand d W Kitchener And other fine Health Centres & Pharmacies Canada wide. 1â€"877â€"514â€"3132 Toll free in "No matter where I was or where I worked, 1 always had a library card," Tate said. Once her studies were complete, and a position as a reference librarian in Ajax presented itself, Tate jumped at the apportunity. _ And that role in turn eventually helped her attain the title of chief librarian. "I really had to teach myself a lot in that job," she said. "It was kind of like being a firstâ€"time parent, you learn by doing and making mistakes." Working in Ajax gave Tate the experience and confidence she needed to pick up and move to a new role as chief librarian for the City of Waterloo â€" a role, she said, has been extremeâ€" ly rewarding. "It‘s a good feeling to make things happen for an organization you care about," she said. "I used to be really shy, and couldn‘t imagine havâ€" ing to give a speech. But through this role, I was able to learn to put my ability LIFESTYLE into making things hapâ€" pen." â€" But she admitted, it‘s a position that wouldn‘t suit everyone. You have to love books. "It‘s truly a candy store for book lovers," she said, referring to the library. _ "Just like if you love sports, you may want to work in a sports store." Along with the books she‘s had the chance to read, Tate said she‘s cherâ€" ished the many people she‘s met over the years. "You learn to relate to a lot of people and opinions," she said. "And I‘ve had the chance to see, for the most part, their good side." Tate said she will espeâ€" cially miss the working relaâ€" tionships that have blosâ€" somed into meaningful friendships. But she added, there are certain pressures she won‘t miss at all. One source of stress may be the drawnâ€"out process to decide the best option for library expansion. The city is now consider ing a variety of options based around two models â€" expanding on the existâ€" ing main library site or building a new shared facilâ€" ity with the YMCA on Father David Bauer Drive. The public library board, of which Tate is a member, has recommended that a new facility would best meet the city‘s future needs in terms of library service. But Tate said it‘s unclear when a decision will be made, and that‘s part of the reason she felt now is a good time to bow out of the controversy. "There just wasn‘t going to be a good time to retire in terms of the (expansion) decision," she said. "I thought the decision was going to be made by now. "I also thought 1 would enjoy the planning, but I realized I wasn‘t going to, and I decided I‘m ready to move on." Tate said while the expansion process hasn‘t been "soul destroying, it has Continued on page 11 Discover Pain Free Living today at: Sangsters Health Center, 75 King St. S . Waterloo Waterioo Health Food. 98 Weber St. N . Waterioo Resto Health Food, 1144 Courtland Ave E , Kitchener Natubeal, 185 King St E.. Kitchener Old Kitchen Cupboard, 710 Belmont Ave W Kitchener Market Lane Pantry, 907 Frederick St , Kitchener Fiddlcheads Health & Nutrition, 438 Highland Rd W . Kitchener The Kâ€"W Home Educators October meeting will feature Alice Horrocks, a homeschooling mother and former high school and university math instructor. She will present ways to take math from moans and groans to interest and enthusiasm. The meeting will take place Oct.19 at St. Agnes Church on Bluevale Rd. in Waterloo at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For information, contact Heather Grant at 885â€"7931. Presenters will include CNIB, Alzheimer‘s Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Community Care Access Centre, HopeSpring, and the Canadian Cancer Society. Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waterloo will hold its first annual health fair Oct. 27, from 12:30â€"3 p.m. Topics will include naturopathy, optometry, pharâ€" maceutical products, reflexology, organ donation, blood pressure and more. Free refreshments will be available. The church is located at 78 John St. W. St. John‘s Anglican Church in Kitchener will host an information session called Stress, Health and Happiâ€" ness Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. e s Local family physician Dr. Dave Rainham will be the guest speaker. The event is free to attend. _ The church is located at the corner of Duke and Water Streets in Kitchener. For more information, call 743â€"0228. Stress information session offered at St. John‘s The Friends of Doon Heritage Crossroaas invite the public to their third annual Village Craft Fair Oct. 19â€" 20, which was last year‘s winner of the Kâ€"W Oktoberâ€" fest Wunderbar Award for Markets and Crafts. Whether you are doing some early Christmas shopâ€" ping or looking for a keepsake for yourself, you will be sure to find something at the Village Craft Fair, where more than 20 artisans and crafters will have their goods for sale throughout the weekend. __ Admission is $2 per person. For more information, call 748â€"1914. Doon Heritage Crossroads hosts Village Craft Fair Hollinger is a grief counsellor and consultant for Peoâ€" ple Needing People and Boards of Bereaved Families of Ontario. The meeting will run from 7:30â€"9 p.m. The church is located at 825 King St. W. Home Educators meeting held in Waterloo The Mood Disorders Association/Depressive and Manicâ€"Depressive Association of Waterloo Region will hold its monthly meeting tonight (Oct. 16) at St. Mark‘s Lutheran Church in Kitchener. Guest speaker Marilyn Hollinger will discuss "Living Loss®. Waterloo church hosts health fair Mood disorder group holds monthly meeting u a a Ask for details WATERLOO NORTH | Northfield at the Parkway % FINANCING a Ask for details PE TE in Waterloo Yar â€"â€"] â€" 7s6â€"i66e www wateroomazda com