Mary celebrated Harry Potter’s Birthday Party and her reitrement as the Teen Services Coordinator with some of the teens at the Peter White Public Library. (Journal photo by Amy Grigas)

By AMY GRIGAS

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Mary Schneeberger, Teen Services coordinator of the Peter White Public Library, retired Wednesday, with her time at PWPL celebrated with a Harry Potter-themed birthday party including a cake and Harry Potter jelly beans.

Schneeberger began working at the PWPL in 2002 for Youth Services. In 2005 she took interest in the Teen Services and by 2006 she was promoted to Teen Services coordinator. Throughout her time she has helped expand Teen Services programs taking them from 10 in a single year to over 90.

The PWPL Teen Advisory Board and Junior Teen Advisory Board were created under Schneeberger’s direction to help with library programming and decisions about the TeenZone.

In 2007, the library received the Library of Michigan Citation of Excellence Award, with the money from the award going to the TeenZone.

In 2016, the TeenZone was renovated and turned into the colorful, open and welcoming space it is today.

Schneeberger’s favorite part of being the Teen Services coordinator is “bringing teens into the library to connect with other people their age,” she said. “They meet teens from other schools, they have an opportunity to have an impact on their community and their library, they form new friendships and I am able to watch them grow from middle school to high school.”

A recent success Schneeberger had was when she was able to connect a reluctant reader with a book they enjoyed.

“Kids are still reading print books,” said Schneeberger.

Over the summer she anticipates “meeting wonderful new kids who become regulars in the TeenZone.”

Schneeberger looks forward to Amanda Pierce taking over as Teen Services coordinator, noting “she loves what she is doing and a real go-getter.”

Pierce will start at the teen desk on Monday.

“Leaving on a high note and happy with everything” has been important to Schneeberger.

She plans to spend some time traveling, reading adult books and getting outside to hike, bike, swim, enjoy the weather and catch up with her daughter.

Amy Grigas can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243. Her email address is agrigas@miningjournal.net.