| Friday Follow-up: a message from Brian M. Hildreth, STLS Executive Director |
Atlanta’s Director Built a Place for People to Come Together
“Walking into the Atlanta library is something special. Immediately you feel as though you have returned to your childhood home. It has nothing to do with the way the library looks, but rather has everything to do with the hospitality of library staff. Brenda (Yeoman) was the first person I saw as I entered, and I quickly could tell she had a heart of gold. She was extremely welcoming, and her desire to show off her community library was very clear. As we walked through the library’s several rooms, she began to tell her story as Atlanta’s chief librarian.”
You may recall this passage if you are a Friday Follow-up reader. It is from a piece I wrote in 2014. I had been on the road visiting libraries in Steuben County. E.J Cottrell Library in Atlanta was part of my March visits. It was the first time I met Brenda Yeoman, library director. And it was clear from my visit and her 15-years of service that she has been a passionate and dedicated librarian.
Brenda retired last month as Atlanta’s longstanding librarian. She accomplished many things in her tenure. Two of the most notable include improved funding levels through a 259 funding referendum and absorbing US Postal Services as part of library operations (one of the first libraries in the nation). Before leaving I had the opportunity to ask Brenda a few questions.
Brian: How long have you been director at E.J. Cottrell Memorial Library, and what brought you to the library?
Brenda: I have been employed by EJ Cottrell Memorial Library for 15 years and have been co-director and then director for 14.
Brian: What project are you most proud of managing during your tenure?
Brenda: There are several, but one stand out is our push to accommodate special needs patrons-a new ramp area on the front of the building along with other changes and programs to spotlight special needs. Another would be our “We Wear History” program, which is an educational local history group that travels around the area teaching about historic fashion and lifestyles, both wealthy and lower classes, especially as it pertains to our area. (Atlanta, North Cohocton, Cohocton, Wayland, Springwater, even Canandaigua)
Brian: Rural libraries face many challenges, what challenge has been the greatest for Atlanta?
Brenda: Challenge…as with most libraries it would be getting the youth involved. You can put on a terrific program but if they don’t show, it doesn’t matter how much hard work or money went into it!!!
Brian: What is the most joyful experience you have had as director?
Brenda: 14 years ago I started a passive “program” of coffee group, always on Thursday mornings. The board president at that time and myself felt that our community needed a place for people to come together. It took a few months for it to grow but a couple years into it, one of our women lost her husband and the whole group came together to support her. They then went on to help each other through sicknesses, surgeries and other emergencies. The clientele changes but the closeness stays. This group is always supportive of whatever is happening here, always donating time and food! So although I’ve had many joyful moments, the most memorable would be when they took that new widow under their collective wings and I realized that we had reached our goal.
And to temper that I have to tell you the saddest moment. Our current board president’s husband was a huge advocate for our library and after a massive stroke still came in as much as possible with his current limitations. Almost 5 years ago now he passed away and his memorial dinner was held here at the library, where he loved to spend his time. It was an honor for all of us.
Brian: What role do you see the Cottrell Memorial Library playing in Atlanta 10 years from now?
Brenda: I see the Atlanta library doing much the same thing as it does now. We stay up with technologies, up with new trends etc. I still believe, as I did 15 years ago, that with our district only being 1000 or so people, that being a community center is still important. We have many seniors here, not many teens or young ones, but we do get the tweens. They are hit or miss, but they are here! So I believe that the library will be the center for a long time.
Brian: In closing, what do you believe is the single most good rural libraries provide in the Southern Tier?
Brenda: Single most good would be connection with one another. So many rural people don’t have internet or are not proficient on the computer and with more and more services being online, we are needed to help them navigate. If they don’t connect with us, and then with STLS, the sometimes flounder. It seems old fashioned to even say “connection with one another” in this day and age of instant communication, but it is quite often impersonal and I think the libraries and STLS as our backup bring it back to a personal level.
Brian: Sorry, one more… Do you think you will still stay involved in libraries in some way moving forward?
Brenda: Yes, I will stay involved. Always have been, always will be!
I love that Brenda always ties her librarianship back to people. It is the reason I got involved in public library work. Clearly, it is has been part of Brenda’s mission for the last 15-years.
Have a great weekend and 2017, STLS. Can’t wait to see what the year will bring. Kindest Regards, Brian Hildreth, Executive Director Read past Friday Follow-ups: http://www.stls.org/blog Follow me on Twitter: @comlibpartner |
