May is a month filled with many celebrations, including Older Americans Month—originally established as Senior Citizens Month—to honor and recognize the contributions and achievements of older adults.
In celebration of Older Americans Month, we sat down with a remarkable couple, Sue and Doug, who began their journey with the San José Public Library in the 1980s and have made a lasting impact ever since. With over 10,400 volunteer hours and counting, they graciously shared their inspiring story with us.
Decades of Dedication
Sue and Doug Williams began their lifelong connection with the San José Public Library in the 1980s. Between 1988 and 1992, Sue served on the San José Library Commission and participated in various task forces, including one that helped pave the way for the new King Library. Sue reflects,
San José Public Library gave me my first major experience with a political campaign: Measure E in 1994, for a benefit assessment district to provide more stable funding for the library system. I was one of the leaders of LIFT, Library Improvement For Tomorrow. Many of us worked tirelessly developing fact sheets, distributing literature, speaking at meetings, and hosting press conferences with Councilmembers, including Trixie Johnson, for whom the girls and I had walked precincts. Our efforts culminated on election night, when Doug, the girls, and I spent many hours in a County boardroom at 70 W. Hedding Street, where we watched the results come in. This was a great day for the people of San Jose, and renewals of the measure succeeded 10 years later and 20 years later. I’ve served on the West Valley Board of Directors for many years and worked on the sales tax campaigns. Trixie Johnson was our councilwoman when I received a Citizen of the Year award for District 1 because of my leadership on Measure E.
With over 10,400 volunteer hours, we were deeply honored to interview them as they reflected on their family's longstanding dedication to the San Jose Public Library.
What’s one of your most memorable experiences while volunteering at SJPL?
Some of our most memorable experiences as volunteers came from mistakes. One happened in the early years of observing the Cesar Chavez holiday. I entered our branch library, setting off the alarm. The police notified our branch manager, who had to leave a picnic in a distant part of the city to come and turn off the alarm.
And then there was the confused time when a Salvation Army truck came to get our boxes of leftover books before we had our sale! When board members heard about this, most felt that nothing could be done. But Doug called, told them the boxes were taken by mistake, and we needed to get them back. We rented a small truck, went to the organization’s main facility, and identified as many of our boxes as possible. Back at the library our branch manager climbed onto the truck and helped us get the boxes back into the shed.
It’s clear that your whole family has been involved in supporting the library. How has that shaped your experience and connection to the library over time?
When our daughters were growing up, they were very helpful in setting up patio sales at our old library, which had no community room. Doug became an active volunteer after his retirement as an electrical engineer. For a season or two, he grew wonderful tomatoes, but then he turned his attention to selling Friends’ books on Amazon.
You’ve played a major role in library advocacy campaigns. What did those experiences teach you about civic engagement and community organizing? Any takeaways?
The Measure E campaign was the first political cause that I saw from the inside, and I think I learned much from it. Several years later I felt ready to be a co-leader in a ballot fight between two school districts. I was conscious of maintaining a notebook much like I’d seen leaders use in the library cause. And I was again on the winning side in an election. My library advocacy brought our daughters to many evening and weekend meetings. They colored or read as they listened in and watched what happened. They were like team mascots for Measure E, the younger one being in kindergarten at the time. In high school they both loved competitive speech, and in college they majored in Psychology and Ethics, Politics & Economics.
What do you enjoy most about working with books, programs, or people at the library?
There’s a lot to enjoy in working every week with other library volunteers and staff. And these feelings are compounded every time we have a book sale, working in harmony with many local residents we would not otherwise know, and seeing the delight of a huge range of customers.
But I think my top enjoyment at this point is the activity of our Friends board. For decades our group has been generous in supporting city-wide library causes, and I’m very proud that this spirit continues in the board’s newer members. We’re fortunate to live in an area where folks donate very nice books, and we try to use our profit to help libraries throughout San Jose.
What advice would you give to other older adults who are considering volunteering at their local library?
I would encourage many older adults to consider volunteering at their nearby libraries. Like with every job, you have to learn about it, see what it’s like, and see if you feel it’s a good way to invest your time. If you find your niche, you can become the person who inspires others to give back to their community.
What are some of your interests or hobbies when you're not being a superstar advocate for the library?
Doug stays busy taking care of our computers, managing household projects, and reading. Sue has coordinated a church library for many years, and in addition likes to read and write and do Sudoku.
Things we enjoy include TV news, late night shows and mystery stories. We’re also happy when we connect with our two East coast daughters and their families.
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