WebJunction Event!

Hiring a New Library Director

Hiring a new library director is the single most important decision of the library board. Finding and retaining a good library director is vital to creating excellent library service for your community. This presentation provides you with step-by-step instructions for this significant hiring process.

April 16, 2024  - click to access recording!

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Association of Connecticut Library Boards
PO Box 263
Ellington, CT  06029

Featured Library 

Meriden Public Library

 The Meriden Public Library has been serving the Community of Meriden for over 120 years. Its long and rich history began with the opening of The Curtis Memorial Library in 1903. Community members rallied together to raise significant funds, establishing Meriden’s first free public library which held 8,500 volumes on the shelves. In its first year of operation, 4,000 patrons were registered. The library has proudly continued and expanded its services over the years. By the 1960’s, it was evident that the library had outgrown its original home, and in the spring of 1971, ground was broken on a new site. The current Miller Street location opened in June 1973. Eventually, over the next 50 years and branded as the “Heartbeat of the City,” the library served thousands of people via numerous services that included computer courses, after school programing, literacy classes, bookmobile visits, and so much more. As the demand for library services endures, Meriden excitedly embarked on a new chapter in the library’s history with an expansion and renovation project, just completed in July 2023. During the yearlong project, the library set up temporary quarters in the Meriden Mall, and had great success providing continued library services and programs in this unique setting.

Since the grand opening of the beautiful new space, business has boomed! In the nine months since the grand reopening, statistics show just how much the library is needed and used. Almost 19,000 public computer sessions, program attendance at almost 22,000, and more than 680 programs are just some of the statistics that show how the library continues to maintain its status as a true community resource center, a hub of activity, learning, and recreation. Eight meeting rooms of varying size are in constant use by local and regional non- and for-profit organizations. Additionally, its newly designed webpage offers a robust 24/7 library containing a host of stellar online resources for use by all Meriden residents.

The nine-member Library Board of Trustees works closely with the Director and the Friends of the Library to create a holistic approach in supporting the library and its staff. Attending budget meetings and library programs, establishing and implementing policies and promoting staff appreciation are just a few ways the Board advocates for the library. Currently, the Board and staff are completing a new four-year strategic plan that will help to navigate the development of both services and use of the facility. Some goals for the future include a plan to open the newly created Digital Media Lab, expanding services to Spanish speaking patrons including onsite access to bilingual assistance and bilingual playgroups, and creation of a makerspace and library of things.

The Friends of the Meriden Public Library was founded in 1984 by a group of individuals seeking to support the efforts and offerings of the Meriden Public Library through privately organized fundraising efforts. Over the years, the Friends have grown in both number of members and scope of funding efforts. The Friends manage one of the largest Friends’ sponsored used bookstores in the state. The bookstore serves the dual purpose of raising funds for library programming and making gently used books available to the public at affordable prices. They also help fund the library through their efforts in securing grants. This year alone they have been successful in securing $50,000 in grant money for library programs and projects.

With a state-of-the art Teen Center, the unique and inviting Tomie dePaola Children’s Library, public computer stations that include playpen areas for babies, a newly-designed outdoor garden area, a bookmobile that is back on the road to serve Meriden’s diverse population, and its strong partnerships with so many Meriden community agencies and other city departments, the Meriden Public Library lives its mission statement of inspiring lifelong learning, creating possibilities, and strengthening the community on a daily basis.