Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
Stefan Abaun has been part of the local community for over 20 years as a member of Yelm Timberland Library’s staff.
On Aug. 30, he’ll say goodbye in one final storytime event at 10:30 a.m. at Yelm City Park before retirement.
Abaun told the Nisqually Valley News on Friday, Aug. 22, that the final storytime event is for the kids just as much as it’s for him. He’s been able to meet and interact with numerous families from all walks of life. He hopes to use his final event as a formal way of saying goodbye to the community he’s served for over two decades.
“The storytime is going to be cool. Come and be there, and let me tell you how much I appreciate you. I love this job, and I love that I’ve been able to be a part of people’s lives. I want to give the community thanks. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life and your family,” Abaun said. “We’re going to have fun, sing songs and do a lot of music. We’ll have outdoor games and say our goodbyes. I want the kids to have a way to have a real way of saying goodbye, not just waiting until the last day and I’m gone. It’s for them, too. I want people to know that I really appreciate them being here. This made my life better.”
Abaun first began working at the library in 2001 as a circulation substitute, a position he held for two-and-a-half years. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the library in 2006 and resumed working in the field he’d spent nearly the next two decades in. In 2022, Abaun received a change in title and officially began working in youth services.
“I came back doing circulation, and back then we did everything. A few years later, I became what we call a reference. I had a desk and answered questions, served as tech support and helped with printing. If someone needed help finding documents or something, that was my role,” Abaun said. “I’ve only been doing this current job for three years. I’m with youth services, and that’s what Mike McGowan used to do. He had a full career doing that. This is my third year doing this, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
The longtime Yelm Timberland Library associate said the past three years in his role of youth services have been the best. Though he’s “always loved the job and what (they) do here at the library,” his favorite part has been the youth services programming. He’s hosted annual storytime activities, along with numerous family and kids programs.
Additionally, Abaun has created a memory book to allow patrons of Yelm Timberland Library to jot down memories, draw photos, autograph and color in. He said he’ll cherish this book long after his retirement, as it allows him to take the memories and stories from people of all ages at the library with him.
“I’ll always remember the daily conversations. All of the kids and families come in — that’s what’s fed me emotionally, spiritually and mentally while still doing my job. I’m supposed to be interactive and make this a welcoming place. It’s nothing nobody else does, but I love it. I have a passion for it, and I have a passion for all these kids and their families who come here. That’s the main thing I’ll take away — stories and conversations,” Abaun said. “I’ve gotten to know people here in Yelm. Libraries are important, especially while still free. You don’t have to pay for it. It’s a free service.
The importance is for families to be here and have a wide, diverse selection of materials. They can ask for help, and there’s library staff who are hungry to help. That’s our job — to talk to people.”
Additionally, Abaun hopes to encourage more families to become members at Yelm’s Timberland Library. He describes the library as an important tool for the public to use. Whether it’s to print out pages, or to check out the latest science fiction book you’ve been wanting to read, or to find historic sources for citations — Abaun said the library can do it all.
Additionally, he believes the youth service programs are great resources for local families to meet other parents and children.
“The importance of our program isn’t just to present something for families to come and do. It’s also a place for people to come and meet,” Abaun said. “If you have a family, especially, you’ll meet other parents and the kids meet each other. The library is a connection hub. It’s a place you meet, you share, you get and you give. By coming here, aside from all the books, literature and getting help, it’s very reciprocal. It goes both ways.”
Tonya Edwards, with Yelm Timberland Library, was nothing but complimentary when speaking about Abaun and his importance to the local organization. With his upcoming retirement, Edwards said the library knows there are going to be big shoes to fill.
“Stefan is a pillar of this community. When it comes to the library, everybody knows Mr. Stefan. The kids adore him. There’s probably kids here who know who he is and will be sad when he goes. He’s a huge part of this library,” Edwards said. “He is amazing. He’s taught me a lot, and we’ve got big shoes to fill in here. He does his dancing, singing and you can’t help but smile when you see him. We’re sad to see him go.”
