With the passing of Kathleen Eubank last month, the Romeo Community Archives wanted to honor her contributions to the Romeo District Library.
As the daughter of Roland Graubner (the same man, in which the Graubner Branch is named after), she continued her father's legacy by spending years as President of the Romeo District Library Board and representing the Graubner Endowment Fund. The fund was set up in Roland's name.
Kathleen's work with the latter provided various items and services for the library, including computer stations that helped kids improve their reading skills.
AWE Early Literacy Stations were installed at both the Graunber and Kezar Branches in April 2014 according to the article penned by Romeo Observer staff writer Chris Gray for the May 21, 2014 issue. In it, Gray describes them as "touchscreen computers designed for children ages 2-10" and contain "more than 60 educational software programs with hundreds of activities [that] cover seven curricular areas."
A unique thing about the computers is that they required no Internet connection, so they provided safe and secure ways for increasingly tech-savvy children to learn.
Donations from the Graubner Endowment Fund and the Friends of the Romeo District Library purchased three computer stations along with their accompanying desks and chairs. Funds from the former provided the two workstations at the Graubner Branch, while the latter bought the station for Kezar.
Gray also took the photo you see here. In it, Jean Viviano - President of the Friends of the Romeo District Library at the time - and Kathleen stand next to a computer station at the Graubner Branch. In the accompanying article, Kathleen mentioned that thanks to the donations to it, "the [Graubner Endowment Fund] can continue to provide to the library."
In addition, she remarked, "Anything to promote kids coming to the library and using things we do."
Over 10 years later, children still use the AWE Early Literacy Station at the Kezar Branch.
Kathleen Eubank may be no longer with us, but her work with the Romeo District Library and the Graubner Endowment Fund still live on. Today, the latter is part of the Four County Community Foundation.
RIP Kathleen Eubank
To learn more about Kathleen Eubank, the Graubner Family, and their work with the Romeo District Library, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890. You can also check out the Graubner Family Collection at the archives or here.
Images and sources courtesy of the Romeo Community Archives; Melvin E. and Joan D. Bleich Collection, The Romeo Observer, May 21, 2014, p.3-A