“The thing I’ll miss the most is the children,” says Carlyn Morenus. “It’s been a joy.”
After eight years as Branch Librarian of the Hudson Library in Highlands, Morenus will retire this month, leaving behind a space transformed into a dynamic, inclusive community hub.
That word – joy – surfaces often when she reflects on her time at Hudson. Whether leading story time, collaborating with nonprofits, or removing a snake from the reading room (just once, thankfully), she brought purpose and humor to every part of the job.
Morenus didn’t start her career among books. A classically trained concert pianist and former professor at Illinois State University, she holds a doctorate in music.
After moving to Highlands full-time in 2016 with her husband, Keith Barnett—a former assistant county librarian in Franklin—she traded the concert stage for library stacks. In anticipation of the move, both earned master’s degrees in library and information science.
At Hudson, Morenus wore many hats. “I’m the only librarian here,” she said. “So I do everything from ordering books to managing staff to clean-up duty—the fun never ends.” But it’s her initiatives that transformed the library into a true community hub.
She launched Kids Zone and expanded story time, creating programs that brought joy to young readers and turned the children’s area into a vibrant, hands-on space. She broadened adult programming, organized author talks, and identified service gaps—training staff as notaries and creating the Care Corner to provide free personal care items.
Partnerships flourished under her leadership. From “Be Kind” displays with the Counseling Center to Constitution Week with the DAR, environmental education with the Highlands Biological Station, and events with Rotary and the Highlands Historical Society, Morenus made the library an active civic partner.
“There’s something really special about a town of 1,000 people with two Rotary Clubs,” she said. “That spirit of giving and community—it’s been a joy to support it.”
Her final day is August 22, and she hopes patrons will stop by to say goodbye. Retirement will mean time to travel—Japan, Antarctica, and Scandinavia top her list—as well as hiking, gardening, and returning to the piano.
“I’ve loved every minute of this job,” she said. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to run this library, and I’ll carry many happy memories with me.”
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