By Brandy Centolanza

Contributing writer

After serving the area as a librarian for more than two decades, Terry Andrews, branch manager of Smithfield Library, is gearing up for retirement. Her swan song includes leading this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade as grand marshal.

“I was very surprised to be named grand marshal,” she said. “I hope it is an indication that I have contributed something worthwhile to our community, which has been my goal.” 

A lover of books since childhood, Andrews started with the Blackwater Regional Library system in 1999, working in youth services. She worked in youth services at the Smithfield Library as well as Onslow and Pender County libraries in North Carolina prior to being named branch manager of the Smithfield Library in 2020.

“My favorite part of working at the library is having the chance to meet all our amazing patrons and having the opportunity to create wonderful partnerships that help spread the love of libraries and reading throughout our community,” she said.  “Libraries are the best-kept secret in any town. Libraries help connect people to information, and most importantly, to each other.”

As branch manager, Andrews wears many hats. Among her duties are ordering new materials for the library branch, creating work schedules and overseeing other staff members, managing the library branch budget, and working with community partners.

“Some days may involve making presentations to area civic or school groups and overseeing the planning and implementation of our programming for all ages,” she said. “Every day is an adventure.  While many people think that library workers get to read books all day, that is far from the case.  Library staff are busy every moment of the day.”

Andrews has been instrumental in establishing many Smithfield Library initiatives, including the PAWS to Read program and the Downtown Story Walks. The PAWS to Read program, which launched roughly three years ago, provides independent readers of any skill level with the opportunity to practice their reading skills with a therapy dog. The library partnered with the Isle of Wight tourism office on Story Walks, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to get families outside and enjoy a picture book in the fresh air. 

“I am proud of the fact that our patrons tell us repeatedly about their love for our library and what a welcoming place it is,” Andrews said. “For such a small library, I think we have created some exceptional programs. We also have a number of early literacy programs in partnership with the Christian Outreach Program, the local school system, and are also involved in the ‘IsleREAD’ initiative with the Smithfield Kiwanis Club.”

As she prepares for retirement, she will miss interacting with the library’s patrons the most.

“Many of my favorite memories come from all my years in youth services,” she said. “As we know, ‘kids say the darndest things,’ and I wish that I had written down all the comical and heartwarming things I have heard over the years. I could certainly have written a book. I have loved getting to make friends with so many members of our community over the years.”

Andrews, a resident of Smithfield since 1996, is thrilled to be heading up this year’s St. Patrick’s Parade with the help of some of those friends.  

“Being a dog lover, I am most looking forward to marching along the parade route with our PAWS to Read therapy dogs,” she says. “There will be 15 dogs as of last count.”

Though she hopes to visit the beach more often and become more involved with her church once she retires, Andrews plans to remain active with Smithfield’s many literacy programs. 

“I will continue to be an advocate for the library even in retirement,” she said. “I plan to continue in some way to help get families excited about books, libraries and lifelong learning.”