Friends and co-workers mourn the loss of long-time library employee Lisa McBroom

BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

For nearly five decades, Lisa McBroom’s name was synonymous with the Iredell County Public Library.

Even if you weren’t a regular patron at the library, you probably ran into McBroom around Downtown Statesville, where she could be recognizable by her colorful hats, scarves, and jewelry.

McBroom’s death earlier this month, at age 67, has left a void in this lives of those who knew and loved her.

“There are no words for the pain and emptiness we are feeling,“ explained Keith Rhyne, a long-time friend who has vowed to keep McBroom’s memory alive.

Originally from Forsyth County, the North Iredell High graduate began her career at the library in 1976, specializing in youth services.

For a time, she reviewed books on the government access channel. In following years, she organized summer reading programs, assisted in STEM and STEAM projects, coordinated child crafts, and did story time.

Before that, McBroom was into theatre.

Tommy Kilpatrick remembers her from Statesville’s Little Theatre as does long-time friend Terry Wall.
She lived with McBroom, her sister Jennifer, and another woman in the early 1980s.

“Lisa was Lisa from ground zero,” Waugh chuckled.

She said the theatre and music friends had a garage band called Dark Swan.

When they weren’t playing, you could find them at the Pump House on Museum Road with McBroom serving on the house committee, sitting behind the curtain and prompting actors their lines, or serving
refreshments.

“I remember one time Lisa saw a mouse run across the floor and she said, ‘OMG! There’s a mouse!’ and the actor heard her over the headset and repeated the line,” Wall recalled.

“She was just Lisa, she included everyone, was open to everyone, and was very opinionated. That’s why I loved her,” she continued. “Lisa loved art, music, and the Great Gatsby.”

Wall held back tears as she shared memories of her friend.

“There’s not too many times in your life you have the privilege of a friend for 40-plus years,” she said.

Gary Elam, circulation supervisor at the library, said McBroom was the first person he met on his first day on the job 36 years ago. Elam was impressed by his friendly co-worker.

“She was easy to talk to, popular with patrons,” he said. “She always praised other staff members giving them regular shout-outs.”

Library director Juli Moore also enjoyed working with McBroom, calling her a dependable and reliable social butterfly. She loved how Lisa connected with the patrons — and her quirky style.

“I would tease her that she could just pull it off with all those funky patterns and colors,” Moore laughed. “Now, if I came in wearing that, people would ask what’s wrong with me.”

Beyond her sense of style, McBroom had a passion for books.

“The library was an extension of her. She knew the collections like the back of her hand. She could always take you to where any book was located and would recommend books,” Moore shared. “When we had the local movie theatre, you could find her promoting the library. At ‘The Lego Movie,’ she brought Legos.”

McBroom had a gift of combining books into art.

And, Moore added, McBroom was good to everyone.

“She was an amazing person — open to everyone, who set aside differences and beliefs and focused on similarities,” she said.

Rhyne, the director of the Historic Sharpe House, said McBroom made such an impact on him that he has promised to keep her traditions and her spirit alive.

“She went to every occasion, to all the fundraising events, and any and all persons were welcome no matter their differences,” he said.

He, like McBroom’s many friends and co-workers, will always remember her passion for books.

“She was probably the most well-read person, the face of the library, and a mentor to so many children over almost five decades,” Rhyne said. “She was truly one of a kind.”