Township Committee Honors Myrna Wasserman for Service on Library Board

Myrna Wasserman has watched the develop from punch cards and time stamps to laptops and e-mail.

Throughout that time, she has been a critical part of the library’s growth and a champion of its mission.

The Township Committee honored the Springfield resident Wasserman for her service to the Springfield Public Library and Springfield community at the Dec. 13 Township Committee meeting.

Wasserman is retiring from the Springfield Free Public Library Board of Trustees after serving since 1993. In her 18 years on the library board, Mrs. Wasserman has served as President, Vice President and Treasurer.

During her terms on the Board, Wasserman has been an integral part in library improvements, including three major HVAC projects, a new roof, building renovation, carpeting and countless more. She has worked with the library staff from the time of punch cards and stamp pads to laptops and e-mail.

Her peers on the library board praise Wasserman for consistently providing a voice of reason throughout those projects. In a statement on her retirement, Wasserman’s support of the mission of libraries—particularly her opposition to censorship and support for the equal provision of library services for all—was singled out for praise.

Wasserman has valued community service and civic engagement all her life. In her over forty years in Springfield, Mrs. Wasserman served many years as a member of the Board of Education and served as its President. She was also active in the Jonathan Dayton High School PTSO while her two sons attended.

Mrs. Wasserman has always been interested in government and politics and spent many years as an active member of the Springfield League of Women Voters, where she also served as President. During her time with the League, Mrs. Wasserman participated in a major study of municipal government. In addition, she has served as a moderator at League of Women Voter Candidates debates throughout Union County and the state. At one time, she also tossed her hat in the ring as a candidate for the Springfield Township Committee.