Decorah Library Director Lorraine Borowski is ending a more than 27 year career at the Decorah Library

Decorah Library Director Lorraine Borowski didn't start out to work at a library.  She majored in sociology at Luther College. Then she got her LPN degree through NICC.  She spent time working at the Eastern Star Home, then became a nurse in the coronary unit at Winneshiek Medical Center.

But on January 17th of 1990, Borowski walked into the Decorah Public Library as a new employee at the circulation desk.  She was there for the transition from file cards to computers, becoming the Circulation Manager as the library began one of the first web-based software systems for libraries.  She became the Administrative Coordinator for the library while Wanda Gardner was head librarian.  In1997, the library completed an addition and renovation.  In 2001, when Gardner left her job, she applied for the Library Director position—and was hired.

Her involvement with technology continued.  A Community Technology Grant from the US Department of Education provided $218,000 in funding over three years to help pay for computers and computer equipment.  In 2007, the library took over the operation of Decorah Public Access TV channel.

The changes "catapulted" the library, says Borowski. It has become a meeting place and a community information center.  Her volunteer work for the Iowa Library Association starting in 2010 showed her "the innovative things other libraries are doing."  It also impressed her with how important it is to give the public access to technology in rural areas of the state, where it's a long drive to libraries in bigger cities.

The start of the Metronet allowed the library to move computer equipment to City Hall, but still have the access to technology—without the headaches of maintenance.

But with the technology piece of the operation working well and an excellent staff on hand, Borowski decided now was a good time to take her retirement.  The move, she says, will allow someone else to come in and will allow her to explore life in a different way.

A reception for Borowski will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday at the library.