Nice to Meet You
Mary Orth has been a member of the TADL team since 1995 when she first started as a sub for the Law Library and the East Bay Branch. However, for the last 13 years, Mary has been an integral part of the TADL Talking Book Library, formerly the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Recently transitioning to an Advisory and Outreach Center, the TADL Talking Book Library continues to serve Grand Traverse and seven surrounding counties by providing recorded books to qualified people with visual and physical handicaps.
“It’s been an exciting couple of months,” said Mary. “We’ve welcomed 23 new registrants to the Talking Book Library.” Mary has been able to expand outreach efforts, scheduling regular visits with potentially qualified folks in hospitals, assisted living facilities as well as providing access and registration information to non-profits and other agencies.
When Mary is not serving the community through her role at the library, she serves on two local boards and is a lector at her church. “I believe in giving back to this community which has done so much for me,” she said. Mary also enjoys traveling, with recent trips to California’s coastline and to Malaysia to spend time with her daughter Mareesa and her husband. “My greatest joy is being a mother,” she said.
Mary comes from a large family, with 13 brothers and sisters. Growing up in Manistee County, north of Onekama on M22. One of her fondest memories is of her Great Aunt Maggie who was a teacher in Pontiac. “Every summer Aunt Maggie would bring up a trunk full of books,” said Mary. “How we looked forward to her visits!”
Mary, what are you reading?
"I recently completed, City of Women by David Gillham and In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner. Both are amazing stories of determination and courage."
