After the C.H. Booth Library's most recent director, Karen Tatarka, left in July of this year to return to her role as director of the Weston Public Library, Newtown has been faced again with the task of searching for a new library director.The Newtown Bee on October 18 to let the community know how the search for a new director is going, and of the many ideas for updates throughout the library.The Search Goes OnPotential ProjectsFor more information about the C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, visit chboothlibrary.org or call 203-426-4533.

However, with the library's longtime assistant director Beryl Harrison serving as interim director until the job of director is permanently filled, projects at the library will not be put on pause.

The C.H. Booth Library Board of Trustees President Bob Geckle and Ms Harrison sat down with

"We are still actively engaged in the search," Mr Geckle said.

Since Ms Tatarka's resignation earlier this year, the library has put a new search committee in place that comprises two members of the library's staff, two members of the community, and four Board of Trustees members.

He estimates that the library has received roughly 15 applicants looking to secure the position of director, some of whom had applied for the position from when it was previously available just last year.

Of the total applicants thus far, Mr Geckle says the search committee has narrowed down the candidates to three, but is still accepting applications.

As of now, there is no estimated timeline for when a director will be chosen.

Mr Geckle explained, "We are going for quality, not speed on this."

To the question of whether Ms Harrison would consider the position of director, a spot she has assumed as interim many times throughout her career with the library, she laughed, saying that many people have being inquiring about that.

Ms Harrison said her title as assistant director and the job of director are "two very different roles."

She followed up by saying that, ultimately, at 76 years old, she feels happy in the role as assistant director and does not look to change that.

Ms Harrison also added that Newtown's search to find a new director comes at a time where many surrounding libraries are in the same position.

Ridgefield, Westport, Bethel, and Brookfield are named as just some of the town library's that have been on the quest to find a new director over the last few years.

What is important, Mr Geckle said, is that upcoming plans for the library are not going to be put on hold just because the search is continuing for a new director.

Since the library does not want to lose any momentum going forward, Mr Geckle has announced that there are many updates, big and small, that are being considered at the library.

"A couple years ago we established a Strategic Planning Committee," Mr Geckle explained.

The committee was created as a means of compiling feedback for the library and creating a strategic plan of what to accomplish in the years to come.

The plan included a new mission statement for the library, which says it looks to be a place to "promote the joy of lifelong learning, stimulate curiosity, support the exchange of ideas, and provide a welcoming gathering place for our community."

The mission statement is now reinforced by specific initiatives that the library looks to achieve.

Ms Harrison explained, "The goals and objectives are to satisfy curiosity, provide a comfortable place, inspire young readers, express creativity, foster successful enterprises, and partner with the community."

To accomplish those tasks, Mr Geckle said, "We identified three major issues of the library: one was space and how we currently utilize space; two was marketing of the library itself; and third was make sure the organization was in line with the strategic initiatives."

From a marketing standpoint, the library has already developed a whole new look, creating a logo that now appears on the library's bookmarks, business cards, flyers, chbMAKERS' Corner mural, website, and other promotional aspects. The unifying logo depicts a rooster with a heart as its wattle, and has a different colored background depending on the department it is referencing.

As for how the library uses space, Ms Harrison said the last time the library had a major addition on the building was in 1997.

Now 20 years later, the library is looking to create a number of renovations to make sure it is utilizing the building to the fullest extent relative to the needs of the library in an ever-changing environment.

Already the library has accomplished some smaller tasks such as painting the stairwell a new cream color, installing new water fountains, and having the chbMAKERS' Corner renovated, the latter of which will have its grand opening on Saturday, November 18, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Work has begun on moving the Genealogy Room from near the front entrance to a room upstairs on the top floor. Mr Geckle said the move will allow the library to convert the former space into a community room for a more social gathering area.

Another room that the library is considering moving is The Littlest Bookstore on the second floor, as the library hopes to create a more prominent place for it.

"Some of the other things that came out in our [strategic planning] work is the entrance to the building is not well defined," Mr Geckle said.

To address the issues with the library's back entrance, the library is considering improving the lighting, having more directional signage to guide patrons, and to overall have it be a more welcoming environment.

Mr Geckle said there is also the possibility of opening the staircase wall and changing the stairs to face the back-entrance door, which he says could create a clearer direction of where people can go to access the other floors in the library.

Near that area is the handicap accessible side entrance that may also see some modifications as well.

Mr Geckle says the library is considering having a more protective covering installed over the doorway, so as to not get so many leaves or outdoor debris inside the building.

Meanwhile, some of the smaller improvements on the second floor of the library include looking for a better way to display the wide selection of DVDs and finding a more prominent display for the new books.

In the Children's Department, located on the first floor, Children's Librarian Alana Bennison said, "One thing I think we need to focus on is more comfortable seating for people, and places where they can sit down, relax, and read."

Ms Harrison says the library is looking into creating cozy spaces in the Children's Department by possibly putting cushions on the top of the shorter shelving so that the furniture can still be utilized for that function, as well as serve as seating for adults.

Other updates under consideration include extending the Meeting Room's kitchen to offer cooking classes in the future, shortening the main circulation desk and in turn having more self-service kiosks, and possibly expanding the coffee area on the second floor into a full café.

Mr Geckle said some projects are easier to do than others and added, "We have the CIP [Capital Improvement Plan] going on at the town level, and this is a town-owned building… we have a mix of what I call maintenance capital, making sure the roof doesn't leak, as well as some proposed funding in there to do some of these planning initiatives.

"The game plan, in terms of phasing, is the things that don't cost a lot of money will happen first and the things that require funding will be put in the CIP."

Those looking to support the C.H. Booth Library, can consider participating in the Pave the Way Project. The library is looking to reach its goal of 800 engraved bricks and place them on its new patio.