2022 -- H 7039

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING PATRICIA REDFEARN ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER EIGHTEEN YEARS

OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE GEORGE HAIL FREE LIBRARY

OF WARREN

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Knight, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Filippi, and
Shallcross Smith

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Patricia Redfearn, a Simmons College graduate with a Masters of Library

Science degree, is a distinguished twenty-three year library professional who has served library

patrons and the wider community with passion and tireless service in myriad positions ranging

from library clerk, cataloguing, reference desk work, being in charge of organizing and

administrating children’s programming, and serving as the Assistant Director of the Mattapoisett

Free Library in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Redfearn had previously worked at the George Hail Free Library as a

part-time Circulation Assistant. In 2002, she applied for the position of Director of the George

Hail Free Library, and to her surprise and the good fortune of the residents of Warren, Ms.

Redfearn was chosen to be the Library’s next Director; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Redfearn has stated that during her tenure as Director, the achievement

she is most proud of is her success in promoting Warren’s rich historical heritage. After receiving

a Providence Foundation grant in 2008 and 2009, the Library used the funds to hire an archivist

who was able to locate and catalogue important historical documents that were stored at

numerous locations throughout the Town; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Redfearn is also proud of the work she and her staff put into promoting

and improving the Charles Whipple Greene Museum, which is located within the Library and is a

wonderful celebration of the Town of Warren’s history. It also serves as great education resource,

drawing in children from field trips and educating them about the many historical artifacts located

within the museum; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Redfearn also put much effort into helping to bridge the technology gap

that afflicts many of her patrons. The gap all too often makes it very difficult, if not impossible,

for people to find good jobs, and often, any job at all. She has also worked hard to improve the

library’s programming as another tool to connect with children and help them further their

educational pursuits; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Redfearn may be officially retiring but she still plans on being active in

numerous activities. She hopes to spend more time reading and investigating her family’s

genealogy, and spending more time in support of the historical groups in the Town of Swansea,

her place of residency. She also hopes to assist and support the Swansea Historical Society and

the Town Committee searching for funding to add an addition to the town library; now, therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

congratulates Ms. Patricia Redfearn on her retirement as the Director of the George Hail Free

Library of Warren after eighteen years of distinguished and devoted service. We wish her good

health and continued success in all of her future endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Patricia Redfearn.

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