Spotlight on Staff: Kathleen Benoun

January 18, 2012

Kathleen Benoun has worked at the Western State Hospital (WSH) Branch Library for over 30 years. She is a tireless advocate for libraries and the rights of the mentally ill. Her value to the hospital and the library is described by the WSH Director of Consumer Affairs in this way:

"Kathleen is the consummate librarian - resourceful and always aiming to satisfy her customers at the library. WSH patients have very few places to go on their free time, and the library is their haven for learning, socializing, and feeling welcomed by fellow patrons and especially Kathleen. Kathleen redefines the word dedication. She goes the extra mile for patients and has even served as an informal advocate as she tries to make life a bit better for persons served by the hospital. Kathleen communicates the joy of accessing the library and that was most evident when she recently spoke at the I CAN meeting. But most importantly, Kathleen understands patient issues and is a role model for others on how to co-exist with persons with severe mental illness. She exemplifies spirit of giving by pointing out the path of learning for all patients to benefit. Kathleen is a soldier who respects patients and the illnesses they bear, only she does it with absolute grace, dignity, and from the bottom of heart."

She is a joy to watch in action, working alone and serving as many as 40 patients at one time. Her interactions with her customers are delightful and were described by Acting State Librarian Rand Simmons as "performance art." Laura Sherbo, Branch Library Services Manager says "There is always a note of panic in a patient's voice when I answer the phone in the WSH Library. Nobody can take Kathleen's place, even for a simple phone request."

In addition to her work in the library, Kathleen helped create the Western State Hospital Museum and she acts as a docent for tour groups. In September she hosted an open house in the museum in honor of both National Recovery Month and the Pierce County "Heritage Happens" Month.

Thank you, Kathleen, for your years of dedicated service to WSL and the patients at WSH.

Link to ILS blog posts about the WSH Museum: https://blogs.sos.wa.gov/library/index.php/category/ils/. Enter WSH Museum in the search box.

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