BELHAVEN — The work of a Belhaven resident is coming to an end.

Susan Smith has volunteered over three decades to help provide informational resources, programs and other services via a public library for the past 35 years.

The seeds planted by Smith, a Belhaven native, will continue to grow, as the library’s services and programs continue to expand and meet a need in the community.

Smith said she got her start when her children were young and used the library for reading and programs.

“I found it to be very rewarding, and there was such a need in our community to keep our library functioning,” Smith said.

Prior to 2001, the 4,000-square-foot library, which is one of eight libraries in the BHM (Beaufort, Hyde and Martin) Regional system, was built and opened six days per week. The former, smaller library in Belhaven was open only three afternoons per week, according to the BHM website and Smith. Since the facility was built, the library’s board of directors, librarians and other staff have worked to expand its offerings such as research capabilities through the use of computers and other materials, as well as other services and informational resources needed by those in the community, Smith said.

Among some of the programs and services added, in part, to Smith’s involvement include a summer reading program for teens, adults and toddlers, as well as classes that teach computer skills, safety and wreath-making.

“That’s what I’ve tried to continue, working with the library and BHM,” Smith said. “We work to keep our library as updated and interesting as we can for our patrons.”

Smith said she has served on the library’s board of directors as chairman for the last 15 years, working to strengthen and expand the library as a resource for the community. Last week, library staff presented Smith with a plaque, honoring her for her dedication, according to branch manager Joan Bogun.

“In our community, sometimes experiences are limited, so by having the library available, we’ve been able to reach from the very young to the very old and all in between, whatever their needs are that they can’t get anywhere else. I just think, personally, it means we are helping the community across the board. It’s a wonderful thing to have that facility available for any need. I feel like I’ve probably gotten more out of it than I’ve provided because it’s a good feeling to know people’s lives have been affected by what we’re doing. It’s a group effort to keep the library open. Because of our librarians and staff, we’ve been successful in serving our community,” Smith said.

Bogun said since Smith began volunteering in the 1980s, she has been an important part of a team effort to ensure not only the library’s continuation, but also it’s growth.

“She’s been a very important asset to this library,” Bogun said. “She has always been a person to take the bull by the horns and do whatever it took to make things work. She’s just always had her heart in the right place. She’s a very humble person and likes to do things without people giving her recognition. She’s always been very willing to do whatever necessary to get things done — just whatever it took. I love her, and I will miss her. She will be missed a great deal.”

Belhaven Public Library is located at 333 E. Main St. in Belhaven. For more information, call 252-943-2993.