Virginia Lyons is turning yet another page.
But it's not in one of those reference books she has been so used to for the last 30 years.
Lyons, who spent most of her career as a librarian at the Hyde Park branch of the Boston Public Library, retired Jan. 24. For her service, she will be honored at an annual fund-raising gala on Saturday at the branch.
"I didn't expect it," Lyons said. "I was quite surprised when I saw my name on the invitation."
Lyons, who began her career in 1967 after completing her master's degree in library science at Simmons College, worked at the Roslindale, Codman Square, Washington Village, South Boston, and West Roxbury branches before a promotion sent her to the Hyde Park branch in 1977.She recalled working through the 1980s when a city funding crunch threatened to close some branches.
"It was very, very hard," Lyons said. But, "I think now there's much more support for branch libraries."
And much of that support comes from the Friends of the Hyde Park Branch Library, a nonprofit fund-raising group that is a sponsor of the fourth annual Bookmark Ball, the black-tie affair at which Lyons will be honored, said Barbara Wicker, branch librarian at Hyde Park.
Wicker, who met Lyons in 1967 when they worked in Roslindale, said her colleague was "a good fit"with the diverse Hyde Park community. "She brought an enthusiasm for her job; she loved reference work" and was dedicated to the monthly book discussion group she led, Wicker said.
Barbara McKenna of Hyde Park, a member of the group, said the librarian enjoyed doing her homework on bestsellers such as "Angela's Ashes" and "Seabiscuit."
"It was like English 101," and what she will miss most.
CHARMIE R. SNETTER 
