by Kathleen McQuillan

After two unexpected events in the past five years that threatened the future of the Cook Public Library, Director and Head Librarian Crystal Whitney is happy to have some good news to share with the people of Cook.

The first crisis occurred in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the country. The lifeblood of libraries are the frequent visits from devoted patrons. “It’s tough to run a library when people can’t come insideâ” explained Whitney in a recent interview. Just when daily operations were getting back to normal, the flood of June 2024 swept through downtown Cook and totaled the inside of the community library. People have been left guessing if and when it would open again.

That painful uncertainty abruptly ended in April when an email arrived with the announcement that FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, had approved funds for the restoration of the library to its pre-flood conditions. In the midst of working with FEMA, long-time Library Assistant Margaret Jarka announced her intentions to retire. After nearly a decade of working side-by-side through some of the toughest of times in the almost 80-year history of the library, Crystal wondered how she would ever find someone who could fill Margaret’s shoes. “I could imagine an applicant walking in for an interview, glancing around the facility, and immediately withdrawing their application. I kept thinking, who would agree to work here in these conditions?”

She expressed great appreciation for her Assistant. “Margaret went through everything with me. I could entrust her with nearly any task. She listened and problem-solved every step of the way. We supported one another through some really hard times and became more than just co-workers. We became good friends. It’s difficult to find a ‘replacement’ for someone like that.”

Crystal went on to say, “We had four qualified candidates who applied for the job. We were pleased that Kristi accepted the position. She would be bringing with her years of volunteer experience with our library, including service on the Library Board of Directors and a member of the Friends of the Library Board. Her work with students of all ages at the North Woods School, her educational background, professionalism and readiness for the job made her an excellent fit for the position.”

Sopoci has a long history with the Cook Library. Beginning in 2008, after moving to the area from the Twin Cities, she and her young children became frequent visitors and devoted patrons. Kristi began volunteering in 2011 with the Storytime and Summer Reading Programs for children from pre-school age to teens. With her service on the Friends of the Library Board she worked to increase awareness and raise funds to meet library needs for materials and supplies not covered by other sources. There was no doubt that Kristi would continue to be an enthusiastic advocate and valuable asset in her new role as the Library Assistant.

It’s now the time to celebrate some long-awaited signs of forward progress toward a fully functioning library, an important step toward returning vitality to Cook’s historic downtown.

Congratulations to Kristi Sopoci in her new position as the Cook Public Library’s Library Assistant. A big thank-you to Margaret Jarka for her many years of service and all the best in her well-earned retirement. And a special shout-out to Crystal Whitney for her unwavering commitment to keeping the Cook Public Library alive and active even during times of crises. For the people of Cook and its beloved library, it truly is a brand new day!