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Community Corner

Groton Library Receives Excellence Award

The Groton Public Library received the "Excellence in Public Library Service" recently from the Connecticut Library Association. The award was one of nine the group bestowed to libraries throughout the state.  

Groton was honored for organizing a how-to festival that included 50 short classes where experts explained and taught such skills as massages, karate, juggling and fly fishing. More than 1,000 people attended.

“The Groton Public Library has an excellent, hard-working staff who are the front-runners in our town for putting on unique programs that energize our community,” said Carol W. Pratt, of the town parks and recreation department.

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A library director and assistant director were also honored as outstanding librarians.  The awards went to the director of the Wethersfield Public Library, Laurel Goodgion, and the assistant director of the Russell Library in Middletown, Vincent Juliano.

Juliano was nominated by the Middletown library director, Arthur Meyers, who said of him, “Vince is an outstanding administrator [who] has a clear vision about what libraries are and what they can be in the future.”

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Goodgion, a librarian for 47 years, is retiring in June. Some of her achievements include obtaining recognition for Wethersfield as a literary landmark for being the setting for the novel “Witch of Blackbird Pond” and mentoring new directors.

“I myself was mentored by Laurel when I became a new director back in 1995,” said Kathleen Marszycki, Granby Library director. ”Over the years I have learned much from Laurel, watching her expert handling of administrative affairs to her gracious manner in dealing with patrons, boards and friends groups.”

A special achievement award was given to Bill Derry of the Westport Library. As assistant director for innovation and user experience, he co-produced the state’s largest Mini Maker Faire, attracting global attention by adding innovative services. That attention led to his being invited to Russia to explain the library’s work.

A special award for volunteer of the year was created in name of, and given posthumously to, Edith B. Nettleton. When she retired after 45 years as director of the Guilford Free Library, Nettleton volunteered there for 35 more years until she died in January at age 105.

Two librarians -- Caitlin Augusta of the Stratford Library Association and Nadine Lipman, now retired, of the Waterford Public Library -- were given special awards for creating "Take Your Child to the Library Day." The special day is celebrated across the nation.

A career achievement award was given to Janet Pagano Murphy of the West Hartford Public Library, Bishops Corner Branch. Other awards included: Dawn Kravarik of the Norwalk Public Library -- support staff of the year – and Sandy Rosado, J. Eugene Smith Library at Eastern Connecticut State University – supporter of support staff.

The awards were presented when the Connecticut Library Association held its annual conference in Cromwell.




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