Always working to improve library

Karen Murphy was dedicated to the Washington Public Library.

Murphy served on the library board of trustees from 2003-16, including serving as president when the new library was built in 2009.

Murphy died in December, and the library has dedicated a bench outside the building in her memory.

“I consider it an honor that the library would honor her in that way,” Gary Murphy, Karen’s widower, said. “It means quite a bit to me.”

Gary Murphy said his wife was always working, often behind the scenes, to improve the library.

“She probably did more than I realize,” Gary Murphy said. “Most of what she did was behind the scenes.

“She just wanted to make the community better.”

Bryna Walker became library director in 2018, after Karen Murphy had stepped down from the library board.

“My staff said she was so good to the library and truly cared,” Walker said. “She would stop in frequently to check and make sure everyone was doing well.

“There was a definite sadness among my staff when she passed away. It was as if a main piece of our library family was now gone.”

Children’s librarian Jo Weidner said that Karen and Gary Murphy were always at the library’s special events, and their grandchildren actively participated in the summer reading program.

After Karen died, Gary donated money to go toward the children's and adult reading collection, a rotating shelf in the junior fiction area and a table in the teen area, Walker said.

The Library Foundation donated money for the plaque on the bench in front of the library to honor Karen Murphy’s years of service.

“The library appreciates Karen's dedication to the library for so many years volunteering her time serving on the board and helping to transition the library to its new home on the square in 2009,” Walker said.