Library Director

Is A First-Class Leader

To the Editor:

Many thanks to The Newtown Bee for running that splendid interview with Janet Woycik (September 7, 2007). Her account of how she guided the library from a modest and cozy small town institution into the dynamic place it enjoys today was fascinating. She’s a first-class leader with a bright and friendly personality.

Al Goodrich and I had an experience with Janet that shows how quick her mind works. Early in 1991 we had collected plans and made maps with specific figures on publishing a book of seven hiking trails in Newtown. Each trial would take people right into the most beautiful wooded areas of town. We showed it to various town officials. All were indifferent.

Then Gary Davis, who had just come to town as public relations director for Iroquois Gas Pipeline, met us and said it was just the sort of environmental asset Iroquois would foster. So he said if we could match a gift of $700 his company would support buying the necessary bindings, pages, etc for the book.

We went to Janet, who was sitting in her cubbyhole of an office, showed her our plans, and asked for the match. No grass grew under her feet. “A great idea,” she said to our astounded ears, “We’ll do it and support you.” So this was how the Newtown Trail Book got started.

By the year 2000 it had a railroad section and about 20 trails all on state or municipal property and had gone into five editions. If it hadn’t been for her vision and capacity to make a decision without dawdling, this popular money maker for our library might never have seen printer’s ink.

I hope everybody appreciates how lucky we are she has chosen to stay here, for under her guidance the Booth Library has become the enduring heart of Newtown and one of the finest libraries in Connecticut.

Mary A. Mitchell

Lockwood Lodge, Sandy Hook                              September 10, 2007