Date: Fri 21-May-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: JAN

Quick Words:

Diane-Warner-Booth-library

Full Text:

Leaving The Library For A New Adventure

(with photo)

BY JAN HOWARD

Diane Warner is sad to leave her position at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library

even though she is excited over the new venture she will be undertaking.

"We consider one another to be family. We have a great support system. We help

one another, and that's a really positive thing," she said regarding fellow

staff members.

May 26 is Mrs Warner's last day as children's technical services coordinator.

After 12 years, she is leaving the library to join her husband, Neal, in his

veterinary business, Newtown Animal Clinic.

"It's a new adventure for us, and we're really excited," she said. But she

will miss working with books.

Mrs Warner will also miss the people who visit the library. "So many wonderful

people come in here," she said. "I've met people I wouldn't have known before.

I've built up relationships with our patrons.

"It's going to be difficult to leave. It's been a wonderful 12 years," she

said. "I've grown a lot as a person because of working here and the people

I've met."

There is a bright side. "Even though I'm leaving, I can come back and enjoy

the people. The library is still part of my life. I feel real lucky that way,"

she said.

In addition, she has not ruled out returning as a library volunteer. "I'll

have to see how busy I am," she said, noting she has helped out at the annual

book sale.

According to Mrs Warner, the library is fortunate to have so many people as

volunteers for its projects.

Mrs Warner has loved her job. "I've always been drawn to books," she said.

As children's technical services coordinator, she catalogs children's books

and other materials, processes new books, tapes, videos, and magazines, and

enters them into the computer system.

"I love to open up boxes and look at new books that no one has touched before.

I love to see the books come in," she said. "I've done some ordering and

choosing titles. I've also worked on the circulation desk." For the past few

years, she has organized Steven Kellogg book signings.

Mrs Warner has worked with four children's librarians. "Each had different

strengths. I learned from each one. Alana (Meloni) is wonderful. Newtown is

lucky to have her. She's very energetic and creative, a real plus to the

library."

Mrs Warner has witnessed several changes at the library, not the least of

which is the new addition.

"When I first came, the office was where the staff lounge is. We had four

desks and sometimes up to eight people and computers in that small room. We

all got along," she said. "It's a marvel we were able to fit in there, get

along, and do our work.

She added, "I think Mary Hawley would be pleased with the loving way they've

displayed her things."

Technology has also changed, she said. "There is so much more available on

computers now. It's difficult for us who are not in the reference department

to keep up."

The library staff has also grown. "There were ten when I started, and now

there are people who work on different floors who I might not see for two

weeks, except at staff meetings," Mrs Warner said.

Mrs Warner earned a bachelor's degree in French literature from Drew

University in New Jersey, and has been a resident of Newtown for almost 18

years. She and her husband have two children, Emily, 19, a sophomore at

Skidmore College, who plays in the college orchestra, and Reid, 18, a freshman

at Dartmouth, who is a member of the track team.

Each member of her family has a connection with the library. "Neal has helped

out with food at the book sales and at book signings. Emily has been a page,

and Reid designed and coordinated the children's garden for his Eagle

project," she said. "Neal and I maintain it when he's away at college."

Local nurseries and garden centers contributed to the project, she said,

adding that community spirit "was a nice thing to see."

Mrs Warner said, "We really have a special connection here at the library, and

have left something behind as well."