Supervisor Leenhouts honors Penfield Public Library veteran Margaret “Peggy” O’Neil with September staff spotlight as she prepares to retire after nearly four decades of service

Penfield, New York – Longevity and dedication rarely come together in such a steady and lasting way as they have with Margaret “Peggy” O’Neil, a familiar face at the Penfield Public Library for nearly four decades. This fall, the community is saying goodbye to a librarian whose name has become almost synonymous with the library itself. O’Neil, who has served Penfield since 1986 and has accumulated a career spanning 54 years in the library field, will officially retire on Tuesday, September 30.

Her story with Penfield began on January 6, 1986, when she joined the library staff as an Adult Services Librarian. From that very first day, she threw herself into the work with the goal of making the library a welcoming place for everyone. Over the years, she built a reputation for using her knowledge and warmth to help patrons not only find what they needed but to feel at home within the library’s walls.

O’Neil’s role grew steadily through time. Today, she carries the titles of Adult Services, Programming, and Periodicals Librarian. The work behind those titles reflects just how many hats she has worn in her decades of service. She has been the person organizing the library’s adult programs, keeping the periodicals collection in order, coordinating volunteers, assisting with services for special populations, and always making time at the Information Desk to guide visitors.

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“Peggy’s long career has been fueled from the beginning by her love for community and her warm, friendly spirit,” said Penfield Public Library Director Rhonda Rossman. “She has been a tremendous asset to the Penfield Public Library.”

Long before she made her mark in Penfield, O’Neil spent 14 years working in library positions elsewhere. That experience provided a strong foundation, but it was her almost 40 years in Penfield that truly defined her career. The countless interactions with residents, the planning of programs that brought neighbors together, and the commitment to ensuring the library remained a vital resource are all parts of her lasting legacy.

For O’Neil herself, the years have been as rewarding personally as they have been professionally. “I am very grateful to have been a part of the Penfield community for so many years and meeting so many wonderful residents,” she said. Her words reflect the same sincerity that has carried her through a career rooted in service to others.

Recognizing her decades of work, Town Supervisor Jeff Leenhouts highlighted O’Neil’s contributions in the September Staff Spotlight. It is a moment meant to honor not just the length of her tenure, but also the immeasurable impact she has had on library staff, patrons, and the broader community. “I want to thank Peggy for her tremendous service to our community,” stated Leenhouts. “I wish her all the best as she prepares to enjoy retirement.”

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The announcement of her retirement marks the end of an era for the Penfield Public Library, but it also brings with it the opportunity to celebrate a career that has touched generations. Few public spaces have such familiar figures at their heart, and for many in Penfield, O’Neil has been one of those steady presences—always ready with a kind word, an answer to a tricky question, or an idea for a program that might spark someone’s curiosity.

As the calendar moves closer to her last day, patrons and colleagues alike will have time to reflect on just how much O’Neil has given. Her retirement will leave a noticeable space at the library, but her decades of dedication will remain a model for those who continue the work. The Penfield community will long remember Margaret “Peggy” O’Neil, not just as a librarian, but as a neighbor, mentor, and friend.