Perham librarian retires after decades of teaching and community service

Dorothy Doll, a longtime Perham resident, has retired from the Perham Public Library following a 33-year career in education and subsequent years on the library staff. A retirement celebration was held Jan. 8 to recognize her service to students, families, and community programs. Doll’s tenure spanned a period of significant change in how the library operates and serves patrons.

During her time at the library Doll witnessed the transition from paper card catalogs to digital catalog systems and the rise of e-books, technologies that have reshaped access to materials and programming. She also played an active role in maintaining staples of local library life such as children's story times and community events that draw families and neighbors into the building. Those programs have long been part of the social infrastructure in Otter Tail County, offering literacy support and informal civic space in a small-town setting.

The institutional implications of her retirement extend beyond one staff change. Rural libraries like Perham’s balance limited budgets, volunteer support, and evolving service demands. The shift to digital collections and online catalog systems requires ongoing training and investment. Loss of experienced staff can strain remaining personnel and complicate continuity for regular programs that depend on established relationships with schools, daycares, and local volunteers.

For residents, the immediate impact will be most visible in programming and day-to-day service. The library’s schedule already lists upcoming offerings, including a winter birding program, signaling continued community engagement even as staff transitions proceed. Sustaining story times and community events will depend on how quickly the library fills roles, reallocates responsibilities, or expands volunteer involvement.

This moment also touches local civic priorities. Decisions by city and county leaders about library funding, broadband access, and staffing models influence whether the Perham Public Library can preserve in-person programs while expanding digital access. Community members and elected officials face choices about where to allocate scarce resources to support both traditional services and technological upgrades.

As Perham moves forward, residents can expect the library to remain a focal point for local programs while management addresses staffing and service continuity. Watch for announcements from library leadership about staffing plans and program schedules, and consider supporting volunteer efforts that help bridge the transition. The outcome will shape how effectively the library continues to knit together education, leisure, and civic life in Otter Tail County.