City staff and members of the community celebrated the 40-year career of Library Director Tina Peak at the Lake Wales Library. A retirement party was held this week to honor Peak’s distinguished career with the City. 

Peak’s passion to constantly be learning, along with her drive to implement new technologies gave residents a wider variety of learning opportunities with convenient access.

One of Peak’s proudest achievements is business agility during the COVID-19 crisis. She quickly identified a safe-convenient solution to get books and media to library members through contactless-curbside delivery. The service was so successful, it morphed into a new type of library service - outdoor self-service lockers, similar to Amazon’s locker service. It gives residents the ability to preorder library materials and retrieve the items any time of day.

Another big achievement is the "Life-long Learning Program" Peak established to promote continuing education. Popular with seniors, the program features a variety of classes, such as arts and crafts, health and wellness, cooking, sewing and much more. The program is sponsored by Florida's Natural Growers Foundation, a grant program available to non-profit organizations in Florida's Natural Growers' communities.

Born and raised in Lake Wales, Peak recalls visiting the library as a child. During high school she worked at the library as a library page.  In 1979, she took on the role as Children’s Activities Coordinator and was quickly promoted to Children’s Museum Curator and later appointed to Director of Library in 1982.

Peak said, “My career was placed in my heart – the combination of reading and learning became a magical place where I’ve had the honor to serve my hometown.”

Peak is excited about life beyond retirement. She accepted a new role as contract Development Director with the Lake Wales Library Association, the non-profit organization that supports the efforts of the Lake Wales Public Library.

Photos are viewable on Facebook @CityofLakeWalesFlorida