Fifteen years prior to the construction of the Freeport Community Library, Beth Edmonds became a clerk at the old B.H. Bartol Library, at the intersection of Nathan Nye and Main streets, in 1982.

In the mid-1980s, she took the position of children’s librarian. And in 2005, Edmonds succeeded Kay Haines as director of the new Freeport Community Library, all the while serving as president of the Maine State Senate.

Now, Edmonds, 65, is stepping back. Last week, she announced she would retire, effective Feb. 5.

“This is bittersweet. I’m looking forward to (retirement), but I will miss seeing my staff. I’m leaving it in good hands, so I’m really not worried,” Edmonds said Monday.

Her retirement leaves two prominent Freeport cultural nonprofits in need of a new director. In late November, James Myall announced his resignation as executive director of the Freeport Historical Society, effective Dec. 7. While the historical society’s board of trustees will choose a successor to Myall, the Freeport Town Council will select a new director at the library.

Edmonds said that Arlene Arris, the library’s assistant director, “kept the place afloat” while Edmonds served in the Maine Legislature from 2000-2008, when Edmonds could work only half the year. Edmonds said she would expect the Town Council to have her replacement ready by the time Feb. 5 rolls around, and prefers the council hire from within.

That would come as no surprise to Judy Hawley, assistant to the town manager, who handles personnel matters and who has worked for the town for 24 years.

“Probably in the Town Hall I have worked the most closely with her,” Hawley said. “She’s very fair. She cares deeply about her staff and cares about people in general. She is an advocate for getting her staff good benefits.”

Edmonds also is thorough in going about her job, Hawley said.

“She’s even-keeled and thoughtful,” she said. “She looks into things well before making a decision. We’ll miss her.”

Edmonds said she looks forward to not having a schedule. She has taken up oil painting, plans to visit relatives in California and spend more time with her husband, Dan Nickerson, who is retired.

Edmonds grew up in the Adirondacks in northern New York. A Freeport resident since 1978, she won’t be a stranger in the library.

“I’m a big library user, so I’ll be in here for all my audio books and British mysteries,” Edmonds said.

Beth Edmonds most loved teaching children during her 33 years with Freeport libraries. Edmonds will retire as director of the Freeport Community Library on Feb. 5.