Mrs. Privat is honored for professional longevity, known for a career stretching more than five decades. She originally didn’t plan to become a librarian, but it was upon the recommendation of one of her sorority sisters that she applied for a position at the United Control Corporation (now Honeywell). She worked as an assistant librarian from 1960 to 1964 and as a librarian from 1964 to 1968. Following this, she pursued her original interest in business, joining Seattle-First National Bank in 1968, working as both assistant vice president and manager in the 25 years she was with the bank. Mrs. Privat organized the first bank library in the Northwest, directed paraprofessionals and clerical staff, trained staff and built teams while at the bank. From 1993 to 1995, she was the executive director of the King County Library Foundation, which entailed establishing and managing the operations of the nonprofit organization. Since 1999, she has been a reference librarian at the King County Library System, providing her services at Redmond Regional Library.
With the desire to work in business, Mrs. Privat earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration at the University of Washington in 1960. She remained committed to education with postgraduate coursework through the Special Libraries Association and the King County Library System for the majority of her career. She also earned an MLS from the University of Washington in 1969. In addition to her career, Mrs. Privat has served on the advisory board of the Extension Library Management Program at the University of Washington since 1989 and on the visiting committee of the Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences at the University of Washington since 1981. From 1980 to 1994, she was an annual speaker at the Seminar on Special Librarianship at the University of Washington Graduate School of Library & Information Science.
Mrs. Privat has also lead a fulfilling and rewarding civic life and as received a number of awards for her service. In 2015, she was recognized with the Volunteer Associate and Service Award from the Washington Society of Association Executives and the Puget Sound Grantwriters Association Star Award. In 1999, the Special Libraries Association presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and she is also the recipient of several awards from SeaFirst Volunteers, including the Special Award for Outstanding Leadership and Commitment and the Outstanding Community Service Award. Throughout her career, Mrs. Privat maintained professional affiliation with the Special Librarians Association. She credits the support of her mother throughout her life as being one of the main keys to her success. Not only that, her mother was a role model for community involvement and known for caring for others.