FARMINGTON -- It was a time to celebrate with good food, but also to celebrate the contributions of two outstanding employees, for Davis County workers, Wednesday afternoon. During the employees' annual luncheon they honored Marilyn Getts, librarian at the Central Branch Library in Layton, as Outstanding Employee of the Year. In addition, Pat Beckstead, elections coordinator in the Clerk/Auditor's office, was recognized for her Excellence in Public Service. Getts has worked for the county library system since 1981, serving as children's librarian at the South Branch in Bountiful for many years. She has held her current position since 1997.

"I'm very happy that this nomination emerged from the staff, patrons and volunteers," said her boss, Pete Giacoma. "Marilyn is completely, completely dedicated to serving the public, and in understanding everything that she can about our library materials, what books are being published, what films are available, etc.

"In her daily life, when she encounters good service or ideas elsewhere she brings those ideas to us," he continued.

"She's always looking for ways to do better, not just in ways the public sees, but also in behind-the-scenes operations. She is completely dedicated to making that branch, and the library system, the best that we can make it."

Although quick to point out he had nothing to do with her hiring (Jeanne Layton was library director at the time), Giacoma said it's due to Getts that he pursued a library career. His former high school classmate, she told him about a typist/clerical opening at the Salt Lake City Library that he pursued while in college.

"She's a remarkable person, extraordinarily knowledgeable about film and about music and local and state history," Giacoma said. He noted that one community service volunteer, in nominating her, credited her with "turning her life around."

Beckstead, meanwhile, has worked in the Clerk/

Auditor's office for 21 years and "has been instrumental in preparing and implementing many new and exciting programs to assist the voters," said Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings.

He cited examples of her hard work during the recent elections, where new electronic voting equipment was used in Farmington's election, the first of its kind in the state. She observed a prior election in Georgia using the same equipment and helped spearhead plans to house the new equipment.

She also spent many hours preparing materials and information to train election workers in use of the new equipment.

"Pat has distinguished herself as a conscientious and energetic person with great teaching and leadership skills," Rawlings said. "She is particularly gifted at identifying what needs to be done and then encouraging others and involving them in the planning and process of completing the task," Rawlings added.