The Friends of the South End Library and the South End library staff are holding a farewell reception on Friday, December 8, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, for staffer Deborah Madrey, who will retire in January 2018. She will tell you she can't wait. It's been 22 years and she is ready for the next chapter in her life.

Born and raised in Boston, Madrey spent years as a public-school teacher in Los Angeles but returned to her hometown more than two decades ago. She has been at the South End branch ever since. A passionate sports analyst and enthusiastic political commentator on the latest outrages of "you know who" (that is, whoever the current focus of her wrath may be, and there have been several over the last few decades), Madrey has earned the everlasting respect and affection of many, especially library patrons who own canines. She has purchased, with her personal funds, many boxes of dog biscuits over the years, which she keeps on the library shelf behind her, next to the reserved tomes of said owners and others. 

Friends' board member Michelle Laboy recently interviewed Madrey about her life at the South End branch, which will be posted here in the very near future. Stay tuned.