Changing titles

Shannon LeClair  

Times Reporter  

 

After a bit of searching, and a bit of luck, the Strathmore Municipal Library is able to welcome a new, yet not-so-new, face to its staff. 

Rachel Dick Hughes has been working part time at the library as the Community Access Program (CAP) Youth Intern since the fall. On Feb. 8 she said goodbye to the role of Youth Intern and said hello to Director of Library Services on Feb. 11. 

The CAP Youth Intern was grant funded and it was fortunate that Dick Hughes’ contract was coming to an end when the new position became available. 

“I’ve gotten to know the patrons and the staff of this library while I’ve been here and I absolutely love being here, I love my job and I’m always excited to come in every day,” said Dick Hughes.

“So the idea of being able to carry on and in a different capacity where I can implement some of my own ideas and really work more closely with the staff and the library board to make the library even greater it’s a really exciting opportunity.” 

While there will be a bit of a transition and adjustment period into the new role, neither Dick Hughes or Assistant Director of Library Services Carmen Erison are very concerned.

“What I find is really spectacular about having Rachel come into this role after being here as a CAP Youth Intern is she brings an appreciation for our needs. She’s seen the interest in that technology, she’s coming in knowing where our weaknesses are and where we can improve and so that’s one thing she has a really great advantage compared to any other candidate that could have filled this role,” said Erison.

“I can speak for the library board and the staff that we are very excited to have Rachel take this role as director. Although she is new to the industry she brings a fresh look on the library world and library services which is something that a small town library like ours can certainly use.” 

Dick Hughes said she is waiting to hear the results of the needs assessment before really jumping on a few ideas she has brewing. She does know, however, that she would like to see more programming being offered. The mission of the library is to provide opportunity for life-long learning so it is important to her to see that happen. Recently the library had been running technology courses with CAP and they were well received and attended. She would like to see more of those types of programs coming back and new ones being offered.  

“I would love to see some kind of afterschool program, we have usually a rush of teenagers coming in about 4 p.m. and it’s really exciting they like the library but I’d like to provide something for them that’s an opportunity for learning but also really fun,” said Dick Hughes.

The results from the needs assessment are expected to be released this spring and future programming will then be determined.