Friends, family and guests of the Carnegie Public Library joined in a dedication Thursday afternoon to the late library director, Poppy Girton.

Poppy Girton was born April 18, 1951, in Columbus to B. Dustin and Martha Edna Poppy Girton. She was a 1969 graduate of Washington Senior High School and graduated summa cum laude in 1973 from the Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts degree with a dual major in anthropology and psychology, and was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She also earned a master of library science and information science degree from Kent State University in 2002. Girton passed away in May of 2015.

“Thank you friends, family, the community and library patrons, for not only your support in the purchase of Poppy’s memorial, but always,” Sarah Nichols, library director, said. “We remember Poppy each day when we come in and remember her with great love. I am glad to see her in every facet in of this building and in many of the faces I see each day. We are thankful for Poppy’s service at the library. And thank you for supporting this memorial in Poppy’s memory.”

Girton started her career at the library by becoming a member of the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and served from 1988-1997. She led several terms as president. Poppy later became the head of adult services before becoming library director in 2009. In all, Girton served the library for over 27 years.

The ceremony was held below a beautiful print of a large red poppy flower which will hang over the fireplace on the second floor in memory of the lost flower of the library, as Kay Oughterson, Carnegie librarian, said.

“Flowers are one of the most beautiful gifts of nature,” Oughterson said. “Flowers possess the power to make humans happy and cheerful just by looking at them. As we gaze at this beautiful print of a single red poppy, we smile and feel cheerful. In addition to that, we are reminded of ‘Our dear Poppy,’ who was indeed a gift to all of us. Today we pay tribute to Poppy Girton. We shall hold her in our hearts forever. Each time we view a poppy she will come to mind and we will give thanks for having known her.”

Carnegie Public Library employees Kay Oughterson and Sarah Nichols honored the late Poppy Girton, who served the library for nearly 30 years, with a large print of a red poppy and a memorial plaque Thursday afternoon. A crowd of friends, family and library guests visited to pay respects.

http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/11/web1_VerticalCenter-1.jpgCarnegie Public Library employees Kay Oughterson and Sarah Nichols honored the late Poppy Girton, who served the library for nearly 30 years, with a large print of a red poppy and a memorial plaque Thursday afternoon. A crowd of friends, family and library guests visited to pay respects.