T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Longtime Conrad Public LIbrary Director Susan Blythe, pictured, poses with her cake during a retirement reception held Friday evening. Blythe worked for the library for 42 years and spent 28 years as the director.

CONRAD — It was a standing room only event at the Conrad Public Library on Friday evening as longtime director Susan Blythe was recognized for 42 years of service to the library, including 28 as director, upon her retirement.

As the leader of a small-town library which is widely regarded as one of the finest around, Blythe did a little bit of everything during her tenure, and Conrad Public Library Board President Amy Drummer was effusive in her praise.

“She has been a driving force behind what our library is today. Keeping the library relevant to the needs of all of its patrons is challenging as those needs and technologies shift,” Drummer said. “The wide variety of the library’s collection and activities are evidence of this. Myself and the board are very grateful to her for her years of service and her inspiration that make Conrad’s Library the community hub it has become.”

Community members stopped by to drop off gifts, enjoy refreshments and wish Blythe well in her next adventures, and the impact she and the library had made on Conrad over the years could be felt all around.