Barbara Hawkins Franz joined the Montgomery County Library System in 1984. Her mentor, Imogene "Gene" Kennedy, was hired at the Montgomery County Library in 1973. In 1976 Gene was appointed head of the Genealogy Department, which was to be formed from materials pulled from the existing library collection. This had been a dream of hers for many years. She was able at the same time to bring about the establishment of the Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society. After nineteen years at the helm of the genealogy department, Gene handed the reigns over to Barbara Franz in April 1992.

For many of us, Barbara Franz has  been the only Montgomery County genealogy librarian that we've known. We saw her continue the efforts  started by Imogene and continue to grow the genealogy department into what is it today. I know many of us are extremely thankful to Barbara for her nineteen years of service and dedication to the genealogy community of Montgomery County Texas.

Barbara and her Staff
Left to right: Nelson Kornegay, Barbara Hawkins Franz, Valerie Garza, and Pat Nichols

Her staff sent out an invitation to all to say our goodbyes to Barbara and wish her well. On March 31, 2011, almost 100 patrons answered the call and came by to wish her well. During the day, Barbara was presented with a Silver Good Citizenship Medal from the local chapter of the SAR.

Please join me in viewing the photos of that memorable last day and thank you Barbara for all the help you've given us over the years and for a job well done. We'll miss you.

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