Sara Dixon

by James Jordan, Sumner Newscow — Friday was Sara Dixon’s last day as the Wellington Public Library’s librarian. She starts her new job as the general reference Librarian at the Wichita Public Library today.

“I loved Wellington,” she said. “I am sad to go. Wellington will always be a special place to me. It is difficult to leave the community. But I have to keep growing. It is time to move on.”

She worked at the Wellington public library for almost two years, and it was her first job after getting her degree. She had worked in libraries before finishing her degree.

She received a Bachelors of Art in English from Kansas University in 2005 and her Masters in librarian information studies in 2011 from Florida State.

Dixon said she is confident she is leaving the library in good hands. Youth services director Lisa Vargas will be the interim librarian until the Wellington Library Board chooses a replacement.

“The staff here is fantastic, and they will continue to do a great job,” she said. “I am also thankful for the volunteers. If we did not have them we would be lost.”

She said programs would continue as normal at the Wellington Library.

One program she started was trivia night at Barefoot Jerrys, and she has been pleased with its success.

In Wichita, Dixon will be more focused on adult services, which is where her studies in college were focused.

“That is more what I wanted to do when I was in college, so I am excited about that,” she said.

Dixon was also involved in the community during her time in Wellington. She helped a community garden get started this year, and hopes that will continue to grow.

She said she is sad to leave but is also looking forward to new opportunities.

“I am excited about where this library is headed. I think it will maintain its forward momentum,” she said.