The Next Chapter

Velma Cunningham shushing the children in attendance of a Winnie the Pooh birthday party. I am sitting on the floor with my back to the camera, second row, second from left.

Dear Elting Memorial Library Patrons,

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your library director. I would like to share a little bit about me.

After years of a successful career at the Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library in Cold Spring, New York, I was ready to move on. I decided in 2018 to return to school and earn my MLIS. I knew it would be difficult to leave a position that meant so much to me. The Butterfield Library had been such and important part of my life for my entire life.

As a child, I would visit the Butterfield Library with my Dad. There was no Children’s Room back then, rather a simple shelf or two with little chairs near by. I was afraid of our librarian, Velma Cunningham. And sadly, she often kicked me out of the library in my middle school years for talking too loud. And so began my anxiety of libraries. I literally became full of anxiety every time I walked into a library. In college, I would bring my roommate with me, to ensure that I actually went in and completed my work.

So, why did I develop a fear of libraries? I believe it was because I loved the library and wanted to be there, but I felt unwelcome. It was because of this that I became the librarian I am today. I welcome children in a library! It’s ok if it gets a little loud sometimes, but the sound of kids having fun is delightful. I want nothing more than the library to be a place for you. A place that you feel welcome. A place of comfort. A place that belongs to you.

I have big shoes to fill. John has been an integral part of the Elting Memorial Library for the past 47 years. I am honored to have been selected to help write the next chapter of our library’s history.

Look for a new website in May as well as a new online calendar. You will now be able to register for events online, set reminders and alerts. We will move to allowing more patrons in the building in May. Patrons will be asked to make an appointment to visit us, but some walk-ins will be allowed. The pickup window will close and we will offer lobby pick up.

As I move forward, I hope you will share your concerns, needs, goals with me. I believe together we can make the New Paltz community even better!

Sincerely,

Gillian Murphy
gmurphy@eltinglibrary.org