Diana Stricker Photo
Branford said hello and goodbye to two librarians as a new director takes the helm at the James Blackstone Memorial Library and the longtime director of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Stony Creek begins her retirement.
Karen Jensen (pictured) is busy setting short-term and long-term goals in her first month as director of the Blackstone Library at 758 Main St. In addition, the Board of Trustees has released a new strategic plan for the library.
In Stony Creek, Susan Donovan recently celebrated her last day on the job after 21 years as director at Willoughby Wallace Library.
The two librarians know each other, having met for lunch and shop talk on several occasions along with Kathy Rieger, the former director of the Blackstone. Jensen at that time was the director of the Hagaman Memorial Library in East Haven. Rieger, who grew up in the Midwest, left the Blackstone June 1 to take a job as director of the Council Bluffs Public Library in Iowa.
BLACKSTONE NEWS
“It’s such a privilege to work here, and a responsibility,” Jensen said. “The community is very special and unique, as is this building — the quality in the architecture is wonderful.”
Jensen, who arrived at the Blackstone Jan. 14, said her immediate goal is to spend time meeting people and connecting with the community.
“I love being a librarian,” she said. “It’s definitely a privilege to be able to serve people by managing a library and providing resources for people to develop and grow.”
Jensen’s love of libraries began when her parents took her to the local public library in their hometown of Springfield, Mass., and continued when she worked part-time at the library while in high school. But it wasn’t until Jensen had worked several years in advertising and marketing that she decided to change careers. She received a Masters Degree in library sciences at Southern Connecticut State University and was hired at the library in Newington. She later worked at Shelton and then took the directorship at Hagaman Library four years ago.
After becoming acquainted with her new role, Jensen has several additional goals. “We’re really focusing on customer service. I hope we’re at a pretty high level and we’re hoping to maintain that,” she said. “We will definitely continue strengthening our community partnerships and evaluating our technology.”
Jensen said the biggest difference she has seen in libraries over the years is technology, including the popular e‑books. She said electronic books are another to spread the written word, but she doesn’t believe traditional books will ever become obsolete.
“Libraries have changed so much but there are many things that are the same,” Jensen said. She recently read an article from 100 years ago that discussed the importance of libraries being community centers, and advising librarians to get out from behind the circulation desk and go into the community.
As evidenced by its calendar of activities, the Blackstone has something for everyone. “Anyone who spends time here realizes it’s a pretty busy place most of the time,” Jensen said. “We do so many different things.”
Jensen credit’s the library’s success to the board of trustees, the Friends of the Blackstone, and the 22 staff members, which includes 14 full-time workers.
Her advice to parents is to instill a love of reading in children at a young age and bring them to the library. “You can read to them before they even understand what you’re saying. Get into the habit of reading together. If you start early, you will have many fond memories.”
The library recently completed its new strategic plan, which is typically updated every few years. The plan takes an in-depth look at all aspects of the library, including book collections, technology, programming and the physical layout of the building. “It’s a road map for the next three years,” Jensen told the Eagle.
The Strategic Planning Committee spent several months conducting research and receiving feedback from more than 600 residents who completed surveys and took part in focus groups. The plan will be posted on the library’s Web site.
Plans call for expanding the digital and physical book collections, increasing resources for English language learners, and exploring ways to provide additional services and programming. The library hopes to increase the number of registered cardholders, increase foot-traffic in the building, and expand the use of the Web site.
Guided by the strategic plan, the library hopes to strengthen relationships with town officials, patrons, donors and the community in general.
There are also plans to begin an architectural review to reconfigure current space to meet expanding needs. In addition, the board hopes to review the results of a parking study with the town in hopes of resolving the issues of limited parking.
The Blackstone Library was commissioned by Timothy B. Blackstone in memory of his father James, who was born in Branford in 1793. Construction of the Grecian Ionic style building was completed in 1896. The exterior was constructed of white marble from Tennessee.
ONLY IN STONY CREEK
Diana Stricker Photo
On the day that Susan Donovan retired as director of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Stony Creek, a Scottish bagpiper named “Poor Wee Thomas the Pypr” heralded the celebration with a lively performance outside the library on a brisk winter day.
As some would say, only in Stony Creek. The piper, actually Tommy Dalton of Milford, was asked to perform by a friend of Donovan.
“I’ve been very lucky,” said Donovan. “I‘ve had wonderful people around me and great patrons. I’ve had the best job in the world.”
Diana Stricker Photo
Pictured in the photo with Donovan are staff members Lissie Smith, (at left); Dale Welch and Barbara Pendziwater. Donovan received a distinguished service award from First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos during retirement festivities at the library Jan. 31.
“It’s time to move on,” said Donovan as she explained her reasons for leaving.
She said she doesn’t have any firm plans yet for her retirement. However, with her usual big smile, she says she just may decide to fulfill her 8th grade prophecy and open a candy store. She also hopes to tour the castle near London that is featured on the TV series Downtown Abbey. Donovan, who lives in Milford, said she will also be coming back often to Branford since her daughter and four grandchildren live in town.
During Donovan’s tenure, the library underwent major renovations in 2002, which she said made the interior more comfortable and cozy, and also upgraded the technology.
“I think Willoughby Wallace is unique because it’s a community center too and half the building is an art gallery,” Donovan said. Click here for the library’s Web site.
The library is currently searching for a new director and has received numerous applications, Donovan said.
The Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library at 146 Thimble Islands Rd., opened in 1958. It was built with trust funds from the estate of Willoughby Adelbert Wallace, who died in 1946. The library is constructed of the legendary Stony Creek pink granite.
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