Goshen Public Library & Historical Society | 203 Main St Goshen, NY 10924 | Phone: 845.294.6606 | Fax: 845.294.7158 | RCLS Member
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Rites of Passage
By plnkh | June 9, 2006
Last night the friends and colleagues of our children’s librarian, Kathy LaRocca celebrated her impending retirement with a dinner held at the Harness Racing Museum. Kathy has been with the library for 18 years and has been responsible for children’s programs for 16. After receiving her MLS in 1999, she became the third librarian on the staff (joining me and PT reference librarian Fran O’Gorman).
Children’s services changed dramatically in Kathy’s hand. In 1993 we offered 174 programs for 3252 children. This year, to date we offered 248 [prorams for 4469 children - growth of 42% and 37% respectively.
Supporting each other’s creative impulses, we had the temerity to hang a soft sculpture of Mother Goose in the children’s area in our main (oak paneled) room where she turned her tail on the library’s early benefactors, Charles J. Everett and George Duncan Wickham.
We also added collections of paperbacks, audio books, videos, beginning reader’s and parenting materials to enhance our services to Goshen’s youth.
With creative ideas continually demanding an outlet, we articulated a philosophy of youth services and developed programs to advance it: Wee Reads for infants; Toddletime for toddlers; Circletime for 3 year olds learning how to sit still for 15 minutes, and after school sessions (French language, cupcake decorating, Civil War soldiers, book discussions). Kathy has set the standard for youth services.
On June 30 she will be passing the torch to a new librarian, with her own ideas and creative impulses. It won’t be the same here - I’ll be losing my staunchest ally - but I hope it will be as good.
Topics: Announcements, Staffing |
