By Diana Friend, Communication and Marketing Manager
Susan Marchant has retired as the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library’s Special Collections Manager.
Marchant’s career with the library began in 1982, when she joined the staff as a Readers Advisor. While working at the library, she earned a Masters Degree in Library Science and Information Management from Emporia State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Washburn University. She was promoted to Public Relations manager in 1984 by Library Director James C. Marvin. In 1999, she took-on the responsibilities of managing of the library’s Special Collections department, which serves as the repository for local history, genealogy research, archival collections, and the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery.
Marchant is recognized for her work as the second director of the Kansas Center for the Book, and traveled the state extensively in the Words on Wheels mobile library, promoting Kansas authors and literature. She was one of 100 honored by First Lady Barbara Bush at a White House tea for her work with the Kansas Center for the Book. She served on the Board of the Shawnee County Historical Society; as President of Kappa Alpha Theta Alumni Chapter; President of Kansas Beta Phi Mu; Zonta member; Junior League of Topeka; current member of Chapter CPEO and Golden City Forum. She has volunteered for local community events throughout her career. Marchant is probably best known as a popular storyteller featuring ghostly and extraterrestrial tales, often tied to Kansas.