There was a nice front page article about Bill our volunteer in the Gates-Chili Post newspaper

Library employees are thankful for Bill Seely who's been volunteering with the Chili Public Library for the past eight years by Jessica Spies, staff writer

Employees at the Chili Public Library know what they’re thankful for this year — volunteer Bill Seely.

Seely, an eight-year volunteer, is devoted to his duty at the library. The 93-year-old comes in rain or shine from half an hour to two hours a day Monday through Friday.

“He’s quite a remarkable gentleman,” said close friend Vangie Morrow.

Libraries in the Monroe County Library system get deliveries from other libraries around the county every day. Residents can get a book from one library and return it to another. And Seely is the one who makes sure that the books get to the Chili Public Library.

He’ll check the books into the computer system and then library employees will put them back in the stacks for the next reader.

Morrow, Chili circulation desk staff supervisor, told Seely eight years ago that one of their employees was cutting back their hours. He asked if there was any way he could help.

At that point, he said he could come in two to three days a week.

“But the first week, he came in for five days and with the exception of if he’s not feeling well, he’s here,” Morrow said.

Oddly enough, Seely’s not a big fan of books, but he does enjoy reading magazines like The New Yorker and Canadian magazine Maclean’s. Before he started volunteering, he would come to the library to take out magazines.

Seely, a history buff and former mechanical engineer at Eastman Kodak Co., isn’t one for the spotlight.

“He likes to do the behind the scenes type of thing,” Morrow said.

Director of the Chili Public Library Jeff Baker said he’s thankful for Seely because of his consistency.

“It’s pretty incredible that he does this. We know Bill’s going to be coming through the doors and it’s always nice to see him,” he said. “With Bill, he’s like clockwork.”

But more importantly, Baker said Seely is a great person to be around. He has an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor, Baker said.

“Whenever he’s working, he asks when he’s going to get his raise. He really enjoys the people who are here,” Baker said.

Morrow said she’s thankful for Seely because he can always be counted on.

“He’s very careful in his work. He’s enjoyable to be around and as he has stated on many occasions that his job at the library does more for him thank for the library. We don’t concur. He does an awful lot for us,” she said.