After working at the C.H. Booth Library for more than 20 years, Newtown resident Brenda McKinley has accepted the position of Ridgefield Library director starting January 2.

Ms McKinley has gained a wealth of experience in her field, having worked at the Fairfield Library, Danbury Library, and Yale's medical library. She started as a part-time reference librarian at the Booth Library in 1995 and became director in 2014.

During her time working at the Booth Library, she cites her biggest joy was the people that she was surrounded by each and every day: the patrons and the library staff.

"The people in our community are wonderful, and the staff are just the best people. They are friendly, helpful, and always give their best. They go the extra mile and work so hard to always make sure we are doing a good job," Ms McKinley said.

"For all of us who work here," she added, "we love it, because we get to see our neighbors and friends. Also, [we love] knowing that we are doing things to really help people."

In her two years as director, Ms McKinley and her team have worked hard to build community connections and support local organizations. She calls it "taking the library out of the building."

Ms McKinley explained, "I am very proud with the strategic planning process that we just went through this past year. I feel like it was a very big effort to learn more about the community's needs and the library's role in that."

Ultimately, she feels that strong sense of community is what makes the Booth Library so special and what she will miss the most.

"Newtown is a community that wants to learn and is curious and interested in learning things. They are just so supportive of their library with all sorts of programs from fun to serious topics."

Ms McKinley echoes Board of Trustees President Robert Geckle's sentiments when she says her move to the Ridgefield Library is "bittersweet."

She emphasized that she is going to miss everyone at the Booth Library, but that she is excited for the new opportunity she is receiving.

"I'm at that point in my career, as my kids are getting older, that it's time for me to pursue career opportunities," Ms McKinley said. "I wasn't looking to leave Newtown, but it was an opportunity and with public libraries, there are not many of those opportunities out there."

As for what the future holds for her moving on to the Ridgefield library, she said, "I'm not really sure, but I am excited for the plans we have in place."

Her last day as director of the Booth Library will be Friday, December 16, 2016.

Despite her career taking her to Ridgefield, she will still be living locally and continues to speak very highly of the Booth Library.

"I am so grateful for having been able to work here for the past 20 years," Ms McKinley said with a smile. "It has been wonderful."