Students and staff at Port Byron Central School District have erected a little free library in honor of a former employee.
The library is in memory of Marina Drancsak, a longtime library aide for A.A. Gates Elementary School. She worked for the district for 32 years before passing away on July 2, 2018, shortly after retiring.
Paid for by Drancsak’s friends, including coworker Deb Slobodiak, the library was built by technology teacher John Mulcahey.
“I wanted to create this library for her because she did so much for the district,” Slobodiak said.
“Marina was just super fun to be around,” Mulcahey said. “I never saw her without a smile on her face, and she always made sure you left with one too.”
Once built, it was painted by art teacher Sara St. Pierre and her student, Alexander Doerle, taking inspiration from Drancsak’s love of pink and buying purses and jewellery.
The library is now hanging under the portico at the elementary school’s entrance and is stocked with children’s books.
