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Veteran Librarian Kate Van Auken is Retiring
Mary Drier/Mike Kaufman
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 00:36:27 EDT
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Kate Van Auken announced she is handing in her keys and retiring as director of the White Pine Cooperative.
She has served in that position for the last six years. Before that, she was director of Cass City's Rawson Memorial Library for 17 years.
The White Pine Library Cooperative consists of 49 libraries in 13 counties.
Van Auken didn't start out to be a librarian. She was serving on the Rawson Memorial Library's Board when a fellow board member suggested she submit her name to replace library director Barb Hutchinson retired.
She got her job with White Pine the same way.
When the cooperative's director Bryon Sitler announced his resignation, it was suggested to Van Auken she apply for that position. She did and got the job.
The White Pine Cooperative provides its local libraries with services ranging from continuing education and training to advocacy and lobbying both state and nationally on issues, such as funding that impact member libraries.
