BOOKWORMS
Sisters named library patrons of the year
DENISE MARQUEZ NEWS-SUN
Sisters Necia Asbill, left, and Sidney Bishop, were named the 2017 Patrons of the Year by the Hobbs Public Library. The sisters are fans of author Clive Clusser. Asbill, who has sight problems, and Bishop can read or listen to a book a day.
The Hobbs Public Library board and staff recently selected two sisters as the library’s patrons of the year — one is blind and the other is deaf.
Since 1960, the Hobbs Library staff has recommended a family or patrons who consistently use the library and are outstanding library patrons to be honored each year. The Hobbs Library board approved Sidney Bishop, who is blind, and Necia Asbil, who is deaf, as this year’s honorees during a board meeting Tuesday.
“It’s two that have been patrons for many years,” said Sandy Farrell, Hobbs Public Library director. “They absolutely love the library and all the resources that it provides.”
Bishop and Asbil visit the Hobbs Library about every two weeks. They check out novels, cookbooks and audio books, according to Bishop.
“My sister checks out the audio books and I check out the others,” she said. “Sometimes we’re in there an hour or an hour and a half. The staff is fabulous. There is no place better to spend an afternoon than at the library.”
Farrell said during National Library Week, which is held from April 9-15, the two sister will be honored with framed certificates and their names will be added to a plaque that is in the library.
“We also ask the (honorees) if there is a book that they would like to see ordered on a topic of their choice that will be placed in the collection,” Farrell said. “There will be a nameplate that will go inside the book and have their names on that. That’s just part of the tradition. It’s just an honor that we started years ago to show our appreciation for the community at large and to say we appreciate our patron base that come in who are very loyal and appreciative.”
Bishop said she and her sister are honored to be recognized as the Hobbs Library Patrons of the Year and said the community needs to take advantage of the services provided by the library staff.
“We’re both very grateful that they even thought of us,” Bishop said. “I didn’t know we had done anything except spend a lot of time there. The library, I highly recommend it to everybody in this town.”
Denise Marquez can be reached at 391-5434 or reporter1@hobbsnews.com .