Book tile remembers well-loved Library page

Posted on June 21, 2018

Written by Cathy Shouse

Dick Rice’s work as a page at the Pike Branch Library may have been his second chapter, but being among the stacks became his first love. A semi-retired businessman, Mr. Rice was a devoted part-time Library staffer (called a page) from 2015 until his death in summer 2017. At six feet, two inches tall, he was easy to spot, not only due to his stature, but because he habitually went above and beyond his job description.

Mr. Rice’s generous spirit and exceptional work ethic endeared him to staff and patrons alike, including young children, who gravitated toward him. His sense of humor was especially appreciated, starting with his job application begging to be drawn away from watching too much reality TV.

“Pages don’t normally deal too much with the patrons,” said Carrie Voliva, the librarian at Pike who hired Rice. “Dick was involved with our patrons. He was very helpful with finding what they were looking for. What was wonderful is that he was so positive. Every day, he had a smile on his face. He was the first one to volunteer to help. He was a hard worker and he had a sense of humor. He was a big guy but kind of like a teddy bear, a gentle giant. Dick was well liked by everybody.”

Sadly, Dick went into full cardiac arrest and passed away during one of his shifts as a page. On March 17, which would have been Dick’s 69^th birthday, a special book tile was installed at Pike in his memory. The tile included his many nicknames, including “The Librarian.”

His wife, Vicki, recalled Dick’s sentiments: If I were to do that all over again, I think I would have gone for my library degree.

“He loved it all,” she said. “He was doing what he loved.”

You can read more about making a memorial gift to the Library Foundation here.