Spotlight on Volunteers - Michael Durgain

Cottonwood Library Board Chair

Books have always been monumental in Michael Durgain's life. A 12-year Cottonwood resident, Durgain spent his youth in Laramie, Wyo., where he worked in the city's public library. "I've owned a couple of book stores," he said. Durgain is library director at Mingus Union High School and said he enjoys working with MUHS students.

Also chair of Cottonwood's Library Board, there is never a dull moment for this dedicated volunteer. He advises community members to make use of the library because it is accessible to all. "The library is the soul of a community and one of the great public institutions in this country," Durgain said. He has been a board member for 10 years.

Durgain is also on the planning committee for the upcoming April 22-24 Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival and has served on the Audubon Society's board for five years.

Young Durgain read a life-altering book by Henry David Thoreau called Walden. That book shaped his ideology of working toward a natural and sustainable world environment. Influencing his environmental evolution was concern for wife Connie Gilmore's three young daughters and his son. Now the four children are grown, and Durgain continues his focus on leaving the world a better place than he found it. Volunteerism is one mechanism that strengthens that goal.

The city of Cottonwood and Library Board are looking forward to the Cottonwood Library expansion project that will add 6,500 to 7,700 square feet to the over-crowded facility. The architectural contract was approved by the City Council March 16 and Durgain hopes to see the project well underway within the next year.

One of the biggest challenges for the Cottonwood Library Board is educating the public about the availability of books through the interlibrary loan program. Durgain emphasized that thousands of books are available through the Yavapai Library Network. "A lot of people don't know about this resource. It's our job to educate them," he said.          

Library Director John O'Neill and Durgain both expressed appreciation for the efforts of their many library volunteers. Durgain said that board member Susan Hawley has volunteered more than 25 years. "There is no way the library could support the level of public service we do without our volunteers," emphasized O'Neill. He replaced Betsy Johnston as a librarian more than 20 years ago, and she's still volunteering. Ruth Ann Haenny also has volunteered many years of dedicated service to the library and its patrons.

In addition to Durgain and Hawley, Library Board members include Dr. Jay Fleishman, DeDe Ewald, Tyler Harding, Debi Ziemkowski, long time volunteer Thelma Fisher and Joan Lombard.

One of Durgain's favorite quotes is Albert Einstein's, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Reading books can broaden everyone's horizons in multiple ways.

The Cottonwood Library is located at 100 South Sixth Street and may be reached by calling 634-7559. The Library's Web site is http://www.prescottlib.lib.az.us/cottonwood.htm. Director O'Neill's e-mail address is joneill@ci.cottonwood.az.us

Spotlight on Volunteers  recognizes the invaluable contributions volunteers make to the betterment of city government and the community. There are many opportunities to volunteer and make a positive difference. Volunteer today!