Deborah Jane "Debbie" Kirby

DEBORAH JANE "DEBBIE" KIRBY (nee Fulk) died in her home in Pulaski County, Ark., on Nov. 23, 2022. She is survived by her husband, Joe Wayne Kirby, to whom she was married for more than 50 years; her sons, Benjamin J. Kirby of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Adam A. Kirby of Little Rock; her daughter, Susannah Elizabeth Kirby of New Orleans, La.; and her five grandchildren, whom she adored: Hayden Kate Kirby, Emeline Diana Kirby, Finnegan Fawkes Kirby, Grace Elizabeth Kirby, and Elle Josephine Kirby. She is also survived by her sister, Sue Ellen Coldren, of Fort Collins, Colo., as well as several nieces and nephews. Debbie was born in Biloxi, Miss., July 20, 1946, to Forrest Fulk (d. 1958) and Margaret "Peg" Fulk (d. 1983). She was a 1964 graduate of Fort Myers High School, where she served on the yearbook staff and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Debbie was a member of the inaugural class of New College of Florida, and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, receiving her BS in Education in 1969. She also received a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 2003, she attended the ACRL/Harvard Leadership Institute at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. From 1984 to 2001, Debbie served as a librarian in both the Pulaski County Special School District and the Little Rock School District, including as the librarian for Mills High School. In 2001, she joined the staff of Pulaski Technical College as the Library Director, where she introduced a culture of patron service, web services, and instructional guidance. During her time as Library Director, she provided the justification and guidance for the expansion of the Pulaski Technical College library facility. In 2006, she was promoted to Dean of Libraries, where she managed a dedicated staff of 12, and managed resources for seven different locations. After her retirement in 2009, she served as an Adjunct Professor in Developmental Reading, and as a part-time Librarian at the Little Rock West location. Debbie was a Member of the Arkansas State Library Board, appointed by Governor Mike Beebe in November 2012 through 2019. From 2002 to 2004, she served as a Member of the Arkansas State Library Network Advisory Committee. She was a participant in the 2002 Little Rock Summit on Race, and from 2006 through 2009, she was a Judge for the Arkansas Letters About Literature Essay Contest. Debbie was a Member of the American Library Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Arkansas Association of School Library Media Specialists. While her work in education and libraries was important, she treasured time with her family above all else. She often visited Sanibel Island, Fla., with her husband, children, and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, her family respectfully requests that you make a donation to the charity of your choice in her name.