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In Frank Capra’s film “It’s a Wonderful Life” George Bailey is allowed to see what his community, Bedford Falls, would be like if he hadn’t lived. As generations of local book lovers would no doubt attest, Rhinelander would be a different place if Kris Adams Wendt hadn’t chosen to live and work here.

Wendt is retiring as Executive Director of the Rhinelander District Library on May 30. Her retirement caps a 34-year career working in the building donated by Andrew Carnegie and opened in 1904, the city’s first public building.

She began as Children’s Librarian on May 20,1974, a position she held for 27 years. She then served as Adult Services Supervisor for eighteen months and was named Executive Director in February 2003.

Many changes have taken place during Wendt’s time between the stacks. The library district was formed with Rhinelander and surrounding towns. 1985 saw a remodeling and an addition. In 2000, the parking lot was enlarged and interior renovation took place in 2005. Automated databases and wireless technology have taken the place of 16mm film and vinyl recordings. Computers and inter-library loans now provide patrons of the Rhinelander library access to unlimited print and electronic resources.

In 1988, Wendt started the Great Annual Library Worm Race held at “Wiggly Field.” She has been co-chair of Children’s Book Fest, Rhinelander’s annual children’s literature event attracting up to 300 participants since 1987.

Her weekly columns have appeared in the Rhinelander Daily News and North Star Journal for 32 years.

Wendt graduated from Mayville High School in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Her dad, Howard, and her mom, Dotte, were both teachers. “I consider myself to be a Northwoods girl because my father’s family is from the Phelps/Conover area,” said Wendt. “My great grandfather bought land in Vilas County in 1898. A parcel of it is still owned by my mom.

Wendt graduated from library school in 1974. About that time her father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Those circumstances led Wendt to look for a job in the Northwoods.

“I wanted to be close to the cottage and went looking for a job up north. There was a posting for a children’s position here in Rhinelander. I had been a child once but wasn’t trained as a children’s librarian,” she said.

Wendt got on a Greyhound bus, came to Rhinelander and interviewed with Gladys Lorenz, library director at the time. She was hired, one of the few from her class to get a job. At the time there were more librarians than jobs.

“I found out later I wasn’t the first choice,” said Wendt. “Clarice, the other person offered the job, went to Florida and I came here. It was serendipity I ended up here. With two weeks training I became a children’s librarian. I found out I loved the job.”

Looking back, Wendt can’t remember a time she didn’t want to be a librarian, “I had a Nancy Drew collection and used to check them out to friends. My mom was an English teacher. When I got desperate I read her textbooks. I read my way through libraries in Eagle River, Phelps and Mayville.” The Eagle River library was located in the jail at the time Wendt was growing up. She remembers their Nancy Drew collection as being in a cell.

“The common denominator was that the librarians were nice people,” said Wendt. “They paid attention to me as a kid. I wasn’t less important than the tall people.”

It was this caring that marked Wendt’s career as well. “I learned you have to be flexible, versatile and embed yourself in the community,” said Wendt. “You need to know how your community works. Once you do, you wade right in and get things done. I think of having a George Bailey moment. You know you make a difference every day. We’re about putting people together with their needs. You don’t do this job for money or fame or glory.”

There is a philosophical side to Kris Wendt. A librarian is about bravery as well as books.

“Libraries are the underpinning of a democratic society,” said Wendt. “Everyone must have access to all points of view. The ability to find out what they’re up to regardless of where you live or how much money is in your pocket is key. The third rail is we must maintain your privacy while you do it. Defending what we do and are is huge but it is not political.”

Wendt laughed, “There’s a thing I was taught in library school. If a librarian doesn’t disagree with one third of their collection, that professional is not doing a good job of selecting all points of view. We check our politics at the door. We are not the censors. We should be buying books that make our toes curl. It is not my collection, we present choices. Your (the public) censorship device is closing the book or turning the page.”

May 30 is Wendt’s last day in a building she has come to love.

“This building makes strange noises,” said Wendt. “I used to think it was the ghost of Andrew Carnegie. I think about all the people who have walked through the doors and hope they’ve taken away some memories. Librarians are bartenders in a sense, people feel comfortable talking to us. I want them to know their stories are safe with us,” she added.

Wendt is not going away. She’s staying in the community and is not giving up the state boards and committees she is on. Wendt will be co-chairing Library Legislative Day for the Wisconsin Library Association in 2009.

And she provides a snapshot of the Rhinelander District Library on a day in May of 2008 that she would like to show the community.

“The people I work with work hard. They’re a team, they care about people and they make a difference. The board, the staff, the Library Foundation Board, there is such potential for a new person. In 1900 libraries helped immigrants integrate into a new society. In 2008 we are doing the same thing. How many people can’t afford computers. If our doors weren’t open what would they do. And I would say to the community you have always supported us. This community is invested in this library. Maintain it, sustain it and protect it,” she said.

Wendt is looking forward now, and no, she does not have a list of books to read.

“This is the start of my writing career,” said Wendt. “I want to write the books on the shelf rather than read them. I’ve always thought I’ve had about six children’s books in me. I attend School of the Arts each summer and fill notebooks. Then I put them away when I go back to work, it’s frustrating. This is what I want to explore. I want a chance.”

Wendt’s husband, Gene, owns Crown Point Classics (antique cars) in Hazelhurst.

“I’m going to travel with Gene,” said Wendt. “I have two favorite cars, a 1924 Buick touring car and a 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible, the one that James Garner drove into the swimming pool in the Doris Day movie ‘The Thrill of it All.’ We’re going to Lexington, Kentucky, as part of the Glidden Tour.”

As she drives off into the sunset, the woman who once dressed as a penny to encourage children to read, hopes children’s literacy will be her legacy.

“If I’ve left anything, I hope it’s a generation of kids who love the library,” she said.

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