By Amy Modesti
February has marked a new beginning for the Cheney Library. After eighteen years of service as director, Carol Gaillard entered retirement on January 31. Throughout her time as director of the Cheney Library, Gaillard brought many great things to the Hoosick Falls community; the library garden, a children’s story time, the children’s room located in the lower level of the library and a fireplace with reading chairs where patrons can take the time to read their books or newspapers after a busy day from work or school.
Since Gaillard’s retirement the Cheney Library has welcomed its new director, Lise Smith, into the facility. Originally from Vermont and currently residing in Hoosick Falls, Smith left her position in the education field to pursue her dream of being a library director. Smith worked alongside Gaillard previous to her retirement in order to become the new library director. Since her February 1 debut, Smith said she loves being a director and has big plans for what she envisions the library to be for the future.
“I love it! There’s so much potential. We’re not locked in. We can move and change as needed,” Smith exclaimed.
One of Smith’s goals for the library is to allow the organization to move and change with the times while keeping the authenticity, integrity and characteristics of the library intact. While there are plenty of library books for the patrons to read, the use of technology in libraries has also increased as well. With the technological advances Smith plans to incorporate the Trustee’s idea of a recharging station to allow library patrons to charge their cell phones, portable devices and laptops that they would like to use in the library. She also wants to have a smart TV placed inside the Children’s room that children and adults can both use in that room, as well as including the use of podcasts and e-books that children and adults can listen to and read on their computers, smart phones, and portable devices.
Smith is also in charge of the library’s social media page. Patrons that wish to look up the library’s hours or read about the latest news and library programs can also go onto the library’s website at http://www.cheneylibrary.org or like “The Friends of the Cheney Library” on Facebook. Since Gaillard’s retirement Smith has added updating the Facebook page to her list of responsibilities, while the library’s circulation desk receptionist maintains the library’s website.
Another new feature that Smith is featuring at the library is monthly themes. Since February is home to Valentine’s Day, this month’s theme is “Blind Date with a Book.” A library patron can go to a table consisting of various wrapped up books to check out an unknown library book that they can take home with them to read. The patron can also sign a raffle ticket to have a chance to win a wrapped up gift basket with various prizes inside. Smith would like to incorporate different themes for various library monthly activities.