Retiring Yates library director gets praise from Town Board

File photo by Tom Rivers: Emily Cebula, director of Yates Community Library, holds a copy of The Beloved Wild, which was featured in a community reading project in July 2019. Cebula is retiring from leading the library.

LYNDONVILLE – Emily Cebula is retiring next week after leading the Yates Community Library since 2008, a time when the library expanded cultural programming and gave the interior a significant renovation.

The Yates Town Board issued a proclamation on Dec. 12 praising her “exemplary” service as the library director.

She was commended for organizing and leading the “Lyndonville Reads” community reading project, overseeing a summer outdoor concert series, and her “exceptional” collaborative work with employees, volunteers, the board of trustees and NIOGA.

The Yates Town Board also cited Cebula’s efforts to implement the Orleans Digital Literacy Project, and her enhancements of the library website with digitized local newspapers and school yearbooks.

“The Yates Town Board hereby recognizes Emily Cebula’s faithful service to our community as director of the Yates Community Library, and wishes her all the best in her retirement,” the proclamation stated.

Cebula is the second public library director to retire this year in Orleans County. Sandra Shaw also retired from leading the Community Free Library in Holley.