Celebrating an Extraordinary Volunteer

We spend a lot of time thanking people on this blog, but there's a good reason for that.

A lot of people deserve to be thanked: our Summer Reading Program sponsors, the Boy Scouts who built our new pergola, the therapy dogs and their owners who come to Paws to Read.

And we haven't even gotten to the teens who volunteer at our children's event, the Friends of the Mentor Public Library who sponsor so many of our programs, or our Board of Trustees.

In short, we're fortunate to be in a community where so many people care so much about their libraries.

But amidst all these wonderful people, one guy deserves a special mention: Dennis Edward Hauer.

Dennis Hauer cuts his cake -- part of our thank-you to him for his hundreds of hours of service.

Hauer joined the Friends of the Mentor Public Library in 2006 and, since that time, it has become common place for him to volunteer an average of 40 hours a week.

To express our gratitude, the Library Board of Trustees thanked Hauer at their most recent meeting on July 17 and named August 12 as Dennis Edward Hauer Day.

Board President Amy Frank-Hensley called Hauer a hero for the meaningful way in which he has spent his retirement.

“You’re amazing – the way you stay active in the community,” Hensley said to him during the board meeting.

Lynn Hawkins, the library's executive director, called Dennis “a real gem.”

“It is just not possible to measure the effort he has expended on a daily basis, season after season—and the positive effects of that effort. He is a tremendous ambassador for the library.”

Hauer has spearheaded several initiatives that helped us. In 2008, he set up a way for the Friends of the Library to sell donated books on the Internet. To date, that has raised more than $25,000 in book-sale revenues.

He’s donated his time as a volunteer educator, sharing his knowledge and experience as a Mandarin language interpreter with young homeschoolers, as well as Boy and Girl Scouts.

Hauer has always been willing to pitch in – dressing as a clown or Uncle Sam for parades, serving as a Starry Night waiter or a book club greeter, clean-up crew or anything else his talents or enthusiasm are needed.

He has served as a volunteer, officer and board member both for the Friends of the Library and the Citizens of Mentor Public Library.

Most of all, he has always helped with dedication, kindness and humor.

True to form, Hauer was humble when the board honored him on July 17.

“I’m just so happy to contribute to the library in any small way,” he said.

“I’ve never been one who expects praise because I don’t take myself seriously,” he added. “But I take what I do seriously.”

Dennis with his wife, Barbara Hauer, who is also the manager of our Tech Services & Acquisitions Department.