The trustees of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library are pleased to announce that Douglas C. Lord will be joining the library as director, effective January 16.

Mr Lord has more than 20 years of leadership roles in state level and community-based libraries. He has served not only at the Hartford, New Britain, and Plainville Public Libraries in department head and director roles, but also had leadership roles at the Connecticut State Library. Mr Lord is a graduate of University of Connecticut with a BA in English Literature and a Master's Degree in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University.

A ten-person search committee, consisting of C.H. Booth Library board trustees, staff, Friends of the Library, and community members, plus an experienced library search consultant, spent several months coordinating a national search for a new director, winnowing all of the applicants to one.

Speaking for the board, President Robert Geckle said, "After a deliberate and robust process, our search committee and the board unanimously agreed that Doug was the individual to lead our library. Not only does he bring deep experience from both state and public libraries, but his passion and love for community service, his proven track record of managing library operations, his ability to evaluate emerging and tested programs and services, and his focused creative energy will serve us well."

Mr Lord will be leading a staff of 25 dedicated full- and part-time employees who are focused on meeting community needs through services that position the library as a connector, partner, community hub, and a place for collaborative learning.

The library offers a range of emerging and tested technologies and provides access to online and virtual collections. In the past year, more than 160,000 patrons visited the library; 15,000-plus people attended programs; and 204,000 items were borrowed. The library has been a focal point for the community for more than 85 years, since its opening on December 17,1932.

The C.H. Booth Library's mission is to promote the joy of lifelong learning, stimulate curiosity, support the exchange of ideas, and promote a welcoming gathering place for the Newtown community.