How To Be A Library Champion!

What is library advocacy and why is it necessary? What makes libraries important beyond being a place to borrow books and engage in quiet study? In this episode, we interview Maureen Sullivan, former ALA President and current interim Director of New Haven Free Public Library, about being a champion for the library, why we need the library and other "palaces for the people," how the role of the public library has shifted, and more.

Also in this episode, the first in a new "behind the scenes" segment interviewing staff members about their work in the library. This month we speak with Sandy Bartell, branch manager of Brundage Community Branch library, as well as Danielle Helenski, library media specialist at Shepherd Glen Elementary School. And Mike Wheatley reviews the librarian as portrayed in cinema.

Links:
Palaces for the People
Aspen Institute Report
Shepherd Glen Library Media Center
Brundage Community Branch Library
Louise A. Brundage Obituary

Transcript

Michael Pierry
 Hello and welcome to the Hamden Library Podcast. I'm your host, Michael Pierry, and this month we're talking about library advocacy. To help us understand what it means to be a library advocate - or, as she prefers, a library champion - we talked to Maureen Sullivan, who was a former ALA President and the current interim director of the New Haven Free Public Library. I love this interview. Maureen is very engaging and she knows how to present complex ideas in a focused and easy to understand way. Also, to kick off the new year, beginning with this episode we'll have a recurring "behind the scenes" segment of the podcast. We'll talk to library staff about the things they do and how they feel about their work. We hope you find this both enjoyable and enlightening. This month, we interviewed Sandy Bartell, Branch Manager of our Brundage Community Branch library, and Danielle Helenski, school media specialist for Shepherd Glen Elementary School in Hamden. But first, as always, Mike Wheatley talks to us about movies. This time, specifically about librarians in movies and how they're portrayed.
 
 Jimmy Stewart
 Clarence. 
 
 Henry Travers
 Yes, George. 
 
 Jimmy Stewart
 Where's Mary? 
 
 Henry Travers
  Oh, well, I can't, uh-- 
 
 Jimmy Stewart
 I don't know how you know these things. But tell me, where is she? If you know where she is, tell me where my wife is.
 
 Henry Travers
  I'm not supposed to tell! 
 
 Jimmy Stewart
 Please, Clarence! Tell me where she is. 
 
 Henry Travers
 You're not gonna like it, George. She's an old maid. She never married. 
 
 Jimmy Stewart
 Where's Mary? Where is she?!
 
 Henry Travers
 She--
 
 Jimmy Stewart
 Where is she?!
 
 Henry Travers
 She's just about to close up the library!
 
 Mike Wheatley
 That was Clarence, the angel in "It's a Wonderful Life", talking to George Bailey about all the bad things that happened because he wasn't around to affect everyone. It seems one of the worst effects from his absence is that beautiful young Donna Reid is forced into a lonely life as a fearful spinster librarian, complete with the glasses and tight bun in her hair. I always laughed when I thought of the stereotypic image of libraries popular media presents, like the spectral shushing library matron in "Ghostbusters". I don't know any of my librarian friends and coworkers that fit the bill. But as Tom Goodfellow put it in his 2003 thesis entitled "The Depiction of American Public Libraries in Film":

"the status of libraries in the eye of decision makers may affect the funding of public libraries from government agencies, and other library and information service related policy decisions. Although federal aid has generally increased throughout the 20th century, it regularly comes under scrutiny from those seeking to cut state funding in the public arena. Public Libraries also have a tendency to become embroiled in political controversies such as the current debate on Internet filtering, and the availability of pornography and erotica in their collections. The position of library advocates in such situations is strengthened if libraries are presupposed to possess certain characteristics such as trustworthiness, intelligence and honesty. Cinema can undoubtedly be a factor in producing such assumptions".
 
 So in my experience what are some of the best and worst portrayals of libraries and librarians in film? I was amazed at how many films have used libraries as set locations, and librarians as either main or supporting characters. We talked about "It's a Wonder Life" and "Ghostbusters". But you know that the movie "Shawshank Redemption"'s  plot revolves around a prison library, or that Bette Davis made a case against banning books as a head librarian in the 1957 film "Storm Center"? I'm not going to be talking about films such as "National Treasure" or the "Star Wars" Jedi libraries, but in the 1963 movie "Cleopatra", with Elizabeth Taylor, the issue of the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria -- with the Chief Librarian staggering into the throne room, complaining of the indifference of Caesar, played by Rex Harrison, and the Romans and the Queen's ire -- is crucial to the story.
 
 The following, in no particular order, is a list of my favorite librarians in film and some interesting stereotypes. The first is a documentary, "The Hollywood Librarian: A Look At Libraries Through Film", a 2007 full length documentary available on the library's Kanopy streaming service, that although I would like to see updated is an interesting introduction dealing with the difference between media's representation and the real life operations of libraries. "The Public" in 2018 Emilio Estevez, the actor son of Martin Sheen, wrote, starred and directed in a film about an act of civil disobedience that turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold. This is a real issue for many libraries, and this is an unusual and enjoyable intro to how libraries and communities interact. We showed it to the staff one year.

"Party Girl" with Parker Posey from 1995 is an underrated fun, anti stereotypic comedy, which involves a twentysomething, irresponsible party girl who was bailed out of jail by her librarian godmother. To repay the loan, she starts working at the library and gradually turns her life around. "The Shawshank Redemption" I previously mentioned was 1994's unexpected hit. Based on a non-horror Stephen King novella has one of its core plot devices: the love for the prison library and the main character played by Tim Robbins attempts to get funding.

"Desk Set" from 1957 is a funny romantic comedy with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Tracy plays a computer scientist installing a very early computer against the wishes of a television network's research department, with Hepburn as the head librarian. For its time, a very positive and liberating portrayal of research librarians working for an NBC like corporation. By the way, it's also a fun romantic New York City Christmas movie. "Storm Center" with Bette Davis from 1956 is one of the first blatantly anti McCarthyism films to come out in that period. Alicia Hall Davis, a head librarian, is shunned by the locals after she refuses the city council's request to remove a book on communism from the library shelves. It's a low budget film with great performance by Bette.

In "The Music Man", Harold -- the con man, the Music Man -- walks into the library and sings. "I won't attempt but when I try in here to tell you dear, I love you madly madly madam librarian, Marian. It's a long lost cause. Because I can never win for the civilized world accepts as unforgivable sin. Any talking out loud with any librarian, such as Marion, Madam librarian". Played by Shirley Jones, Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian in the 1963 award winning movie adaptation of the Tony winning musical sees through Harold the music man's con man played by Robert Preston, but when he helps her younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love with them. Granted, "The Music Man" is set in the Midwest in 1912, before the Great War, and clothing styles of the period for women were austere. But Marian looks the very stereotype of a librarian, complete with bun and glasses, as it says in the song, "an unforgivable sin, any talking out loud with any librarian".
 
 I'm happy to report that librarians are alive and well in some great children's films also. In "Matilda" -- the book by Roald Dahl and the movie from 1996, directed by Danny DeVito, soon to be a movie musical adaptation with Emma Thompson -- Matilda talks with Mrs. Phelps. Her local librarian talks about all the children's books she's read about how some were poor and others were lovely, and her personal favorite being "The Secret Garden": a great librarian, and a great scene. "Pagemaster" from 1984 is about a young boy who stumbles into a library and gets transformed into an animated character. He learns about courage and ingenuity through classic stories in order to escape the library. Macaulay Culkin from "Home Alone" plays the boy; good family fare.

There is a library in the "Harry Potter" series, both in the movies and books, but the library is run by the very strict demanding witch Irma Pince. With apologies from JK Rowling at a fundraiser in 2006 at Radio City Music Hall, she said, "I would like to apologize for you and any other librarians present here today. And my get out clause is always if they had a pleasant helpful librarian, half my plots would be gone, because the answer invariably is in a book, but Hermione has to go and find it. If they'd had a good librarian, that would have been that problem solved. So sorry. From Pince's note in a library book 'Quidditch Through the Ages'. this quote: 'a warning, if you rip, tear shred, bend, fold, deface, disfigure smear, smudge, throw, drop, or in any other manner damage, mistreat, or show lack of respect toward this book, the consequences will be as awful as it is within my power to make them'".

There are many more movies that I could list with libraries and librarians. What are your favorite?
 
 Mike Wheatley
 I would like to end with this quote from the American Library Association's website called "Librarians: how would we like to see ourselves" by Anne Larrivee:
 
 "Whether we like it or not, stereotypes can shape the perspectives of librarianship. Many are familiar with the various stereotypical images of librarians as a non-diverse group of older, stuffy women who shelve books all day! The media has long played a part in perpetuating these stereotypes and for those who link their identity to their professions, these long-held images may have stifled their desire to explore librarianship. These preconceived, non-diverse portrayals aren't relatable for many people, particularly racial and ethnic minorities. Media and iconic trends can really shape the way younger generations perceive librarianship. However, it is important that librarians come together to encourage a diverse group of peers to join their ranks. As librarianship diversifies, we will eventually witness the dismantling of preconceived notions of how a librarian is supposed to look."
 
 Thank you.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Maureen Sullivan is well known and widely recognized as an educator, leader and advocate in the library community. Her experience in library science, organizational development, and leadership is extensive and unmatched. She served as president of the American Library Association from 2012 to 2013, as the convener for the Aspen Institute's "Reimagining The Public Library in the 21st century" report that was released in 2014, and as Interim Chief Librarian for the Connecticut State Library for six months beginning in May of 2020. Hamden Public Library benefited immensely from her work as library consultant, instructing and guiding our task force in essential outreach in the fall of 2021 by means of surveys, and community conversations. Ms Sullivan currently serves as chair of the Connecticut State Library Board, and interim city librarian for the New Haven Free Public Library. Thank you, Ms Maureen, for joining us for this interview. I very much appreciate it. My first question for you is: why would you consider yourself a library advocate? Libraries are the most trusted institution in America. And you do know there are more libraries than McDonald's. So why does it need advocacy?
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 So first, I want to suggest that while I'm an active proponent of libraries and their importance in American life, I don't usually think of myself as an advocate. Because to me, that word means that I'm acting on behalf of. And what I'm really trying to do in my work is help everyone in every community understand what the role of the library is in that community. And I appreciate you pointing out that there are more libraries than there are McDonald's but also that the library is a trusted institution. Libraries have been critical to our democracy, and to enabling the people who live in our communities to have access to information that is so important, as they're making decisions that are vital in their lives.

I think the main reason why advocacy is something that is recognized as important in libraries today is: despite a lot of the work that's been done in the last 20 to 25 years, we still have public officials, community leaders, and even people who regularly use our libraries who don't fully understand all of the work that we do all the ways in which we make a difference for the people who are served. I still encounter individuals whose idea of the library is really derived from what they first experienced as children, and as their lives have moved forward, libraries haven't been that essential for some of these individuals. But we know how essential they are for the range of people who live, work, and are active in our communities. We offer programming, we offer access to information, and we are trusted places for accuracy and authentication of information.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Thank you for expanding on that. And it's a perfect transition into my next question as to how the public library evaluates how it's serving the needs of the community. The Aspen Institute's report, "Rising to the Challenge: Re-envisioning Public Libraries", serves as a turning point for libraries in the 21st century, in that it changes expectations libraries should have for how they serve their communities, and how communities can support their libraries. You were called upon to be a facilitator of that report. What were its key findings? And how is it a game changer for the average public library?
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 So to briefly respond, I'm going to start with the four strategies for success that were identified out of the work that we did in Aspen, Colorado, that summer, when a convening occurred where there were thirtysome individuals, only six of us from what I would call the library field. We brought in the former commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, we had authors, we had people who were community activists, people who were active in education. 

And those four strategies are, first and foremost, "align the library services in support of community goals". So what of course this means is: we need to understand what the community's aspirations and goals are, and then we need to align our work with those goals and aspirations, providing access to content in all formats. And this is a struggle for public libraries today, because as much as we want to be able to do that, having the resources that enable us to keep up with the changes in those formats, and particularly having the resources in a timely way that will enable us to keep up is difficult.

The third, and this was one of the pieces that really came out of the work that we did, engaging people in the library field and understanding what we were doing with the Aspen work. The third one is "ensure long term sustainability of public libraries". One of the strongest themes in all of those conversations was the discovery that there were a whole host of different financial models, and different ways in which libraries were funded across the country. So one of the key things that we were stressing is the need for every community to help its library have identifiable and reliable sources of revenue, and to have the community policymakers recognize the library as an asset and be ready to provide the funding support that would enable the library to continue to be a vital component of community life.

And then the fourth one was to cultivate leadership, and to cultivate leadership within the library, but also for librarians to become more active in the community and to be community leaders, and to take steps to cultivate individuals who were in positions of influence to be what I think we called "community champions". Actually, it's interesting, because "champion" is a term that would work better for me than "advocate", because I really think that that is what I focus on is helping people understand the importance of the library, but also all that the library offers in its community.
 
 Ariana Davis
 I do like that term “champion”. It really encapsulates on all that you and so many librarians and people in these positions do to support the community by means of this important institution. My next question for you is: what can library allies do to help at this time when we're seeing an increase in civic polarization, which includes challenges to library collections, services and funding?
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 Well, individuals whom we might identify as allies, or who would self-identify in that role, could really begin by picking up on the term that you and I just embraced, and that is to see that their work is in the role of a champion for the library. And part of being a champion for the library would mean these allies would take the time to understand what we really do, and would be ready to stand up and challenge people who are promoting misinformation and suggesting that we're doing work and we're taking steps that are counter to what we actually do. And we do have people in the library field who have stood up.

Lisa Varga, who is the Executive Director of the Virginia Library Association, has gone before community groups, and really made the case for what we really do in libraries, and the importance of our service to children, as well as adults and our commitment to accuracy of information and also our commitment to the freedom to read. So understanding what's in the collection, recognizing our core value of access to information, the intellectual freedom and the freedom to read, and to stand with us, when challenges come to us around what we hold in our collection, and what it is that people think we're doing in terms of our programming.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Thank you for explaining that. It provides a nice segue into my next question. Why have we seen, in your opinion, a shift in the role public libraries play in both the physical and social infrastructures of their community?
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 Well, the first thing that comes to mind with this question is the wisdom and the readiness for action that some of our library directors and senior administrators saw the need to act on. Again, I'm going to go back 20 to 25 years ago, we had people who were really taking the lead in moving outside of the organization to recognizing the dynamic interaction of the library with different components in the community. And one of the first places where we saw this was in partnerships in school systems, where after school programming became important and the library's role in being able to receive children after school and to help continue their education, whether it was homework help, providing space for tutors, or just giving students the opportunity to be in the library, engage in activities and pursue their love of reading.

I think another significant step that's more recent is when Eric Klinenberg published "Palaces for the People" in which he called for in our country at the time he was writing -- which I think is now probably six or seven years ago -- for a social infrastructure across the nation to really support the people of this country. And I loved it when I discovered his statement that we need this desperately, but we don't have to create it. We have to recognize that our public library system is that social infrastructure. And he became an ally and advocate for people recognizing all that goes on in libraries and has gone on in libraries for decades, if not centuries, to really support self-directed learning, to support people who need to have interaction, find others and to be able to come together participate in library programs, but also just to be a part of the place to pursue whatever their particular interests might be.

And again, I'll cite reading as one of them, but another important one is a place to come together for discussion. Whether it's a book discussion group, it is a hot topic in the community, or it's just something of interest, where individuals want to be able to say out loud with their thinking, and are ready to learn and grow as a result of hearing different voices around those issues. And as we recognize the library as a trusted space in our community, it really becomes important for everyone to see, the library is a place where we can come together for those discussions.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Absolutely. My next question is concerning your position as interim state librarian? What did you learn as interim state librarian about what makes public libraries in Connecticut different from those in the rest of the country? And what makes advocacy different in Connecticut, both for the individual library and collectively?
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 So I don't know that I can say that I saw significant differences. I will tell you what the experience of serving as interim state librarian reminded me of is all of the richness that libraries here in Connecticut have. I grew up in Connecticut. I was born in Norwich, I started my post high school education at the University of Connecticut. And one of the things I had to do in high school was memorize the list of 169 towns. So I came into the work, knowing the kind of diversity that we have across the state.

We have large urban public libraries, I'm acting city librarian and one of them right now. We have rural libraries, we have a State Library that really provides extensive support to people in the field. So there, it's a small state. And I think it would surprise people coming in from the outside the extent to which we have the kind of diversity that we have.

The thing that's always upper my most in my mind, when I think about advocacy for public libraries in Connecticut, is the fact that, at least right now, we do not have a firm -- a lobbying firm -- supporting the efforts of the Connecticut Library Association to really make the case to the legislature about what the needs are in the library. The current State Librarian can do some work in that area, we have a variety of people who are active in their communities, promoting the need to support libraries, but I think there's one of the real opportunities here for the Connecticut Library Association, the Connecticut State Library, and the one consortium we have the Connecticut Library Consortium is for the principals of those organizations to come together and really think about a concerted and a coordinated approach to advocacy.

And I know that John Chrastka, who heads EveryLibrary -- I serve on that board -- I know John, as the person who leads that organization, is eager to be of help to libraries in Connecticut, on this whole question of how do we become more effective, I'll say advocates, but I also want to say become more effective champions, and bring more people into the work to champion our libraries and what they mean.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Thank you for emphasizing that point and also giving those details into those needs. My next question is: what are the common threads in librarianship and services throughout the country? And also, if you could share what are some of the common challenges?
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 So I think among the common threads first and foremost is the people who choose to make a career of working in a library. And whether that is the individuals who are credentialed with the Master's degree in Library Science are the individuals who come to this work and make a career out of it because they're choosing to do that, what Dave Lankes refers to as "librarians by spirit". They don't have that credential of the degree, but they learn from their work experience what's so important in providing service. These individuals are all driven with a very strong service orientation. They tend to be individuals who are not only effective at problem solving. They're individuals who seek work that is around problem solving. And there are also individuals who appreciate the variety of different individuals that are part of the human experience, and welcome the opportunity to work with those individuals.

I also think one of the things we under appreciate about people who work in our public libraries, is the extent to which individuals are creative, and only need to be given the opportunity to tap some of the creativity, the innovative ideas that they might have, to be able to contribute more to the organizations. I also think another theme across the way is a really deep commitment to ensuring access to information. And as I said earlier, making sure that people have accurate information. When the whole idea of "alternative facts" came up, one of the things that caused me to relax a little bit was when somebody said, "if you want alternative facts come to the library, because we have the fiction section." And I thought that was a really nice way of drawing that distinction.

One of the most common and unfortunate challenges that libraries are facing today is where people who are -- I'm going to use a term that one of my colleagues at the New Haven Public Library uses -- "agents of chaos", just trying to stir up trouble by promoting myths about what we do what we're about that are absolutely not true, and the work and the effort that goes into really creating an understanding of what the facts and what the truth would be in the situation. We're still challenged in the library field by not having the resources that we need.

And one that is front and center for me because of my work as the acting city librarian in New Haven is pay, the salaries that people are paid. We are not in the library field, we have too many people who are working, being paid wages or being paid salaries that we would not be able to say are a living wage for people. In Connecticut, we have a number of people working in our public libraries, under the title of library aide, and they're paid $15 an hour. And in many cases, they're capped in terms of the number of hours for which they can work at 19 or 20 hours, and that is not a living wage.

Most of those individuals have other jobs that they have to do. And it's really an issue for me, because part of my career history includes being a human resources administrator, doing work on compensation and salary systems. And I have also been in a position to watch how the work has changed. And just about all of the work that we now do in a public library is professional work. The traditional clerical work has gone away, we have everybody answering questions, ready to meet whatever the needs are that any constituent coming in would present to us, and we have individuals who are actively engaged in knowledge work, and who are determined through the way they approach that work, to learn and to continue to be able to deliver the kinds of services and programs that are so important in our communities.

And the other thing that I must make a point of saying that I haven't yet addressed is: libraries are so important, because in every community, the public library, is, as I've said, that trusted place where information is deliberately worked on to be accurate and authenticated. Our libraries, therefore, are what prior president of the American Library Association, Nancy Kranich described in her theme, "the cornerstone of democracy". And as we've experienced in the last several years, so many questions about the future of democracy. If we want democracy to prevail, and I believe the majority of us do, it's essential that we recognize the importance of the public library in that work.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Thank you for so many of the nuances in your answer to that question that really clarify the role that the library plays, and also the the needs and challenges that that it continues to face. My last question for you is in regards to your current position as interim city librarian for New Haven. Are there any aspects of this work that have surprised you, and are their everyday realities that impede the possibility of rising to the challenge of the Aspen report?
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 So, in terms of the surprise, the largest area of surprise to me, is the extent to which staff on the frontlines are faced with safety and security issues. We have one branch in New Haven, where it seems to me it's almost every day, at the start of the day, somebody on the staff coming into work files a report -- and we have a system in which they can file these reports so we can follow them -- but is filing a report about needles at the front door, people sleeping in a vestibule, people doing unhealthy things in the parking lot are in the front of the library.

Right before Thanksgiving, we had a situation where a fistfight broke out in Ives, which is the main library. We have people coming in who have particular mental health needs, and we're challenged to be able to respond to those mental health needs. But related to this is the effort that I find staff go to, to try to meet the needs of these individuals.

Libraries, as you probably know, are places where most people who work in them have a strong value for social justice. And that strong value for social justice plays out in the way staff on a day to day basis, make an effort to really meet the needs of everyone across any spectrum. And it's the mental health and the socioeconomic spectrums when they those two come together and we're dealing with individuals who really have needs that are not being met, where the staff in the library are making their best effort to try to help these individuals.

It's one of the reasons that so many of our large urban libraries have moved in the direction of partnerships with social service agencies. And some libraries, I think of San Francisco particularly, have actually hired people to be on the staff who are trained social workers, to help us with this work. And of course, the other thing that came to mind right away, is the commitment of the staff. And despite all of the challenges coming out of the closures with COVID, and I'm in the position that I'm in because the previous librarian, city librarian, John Jessen, died, and for some of the staff, it was sudden, they were not aware that he was out. So there's the mourning and the experience of that loss that people were dealing with this well.

But I think people who work in libraries are one of the best examples of the resilience in the human experience that we could find. And it's one of the reasons why I am so enjoying doing this work and being in this role. And I have to say, I already talked about the salary issue. But the salary issue is one of the things that I think challenges the aspirations that I set forth that are at the heart of the Aspen work that we undertook. Gosh, it's 10 years ago now.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Wow. Thank you so much, Ms Sullivan, for answering my questions and really helping us to get a deeper understanding of what the library is, what it stands for, and the impact that it can have on the community, as well as the challenges and needs that the public library may deal with and face at this time, but also how people are really rising up to be those champions for the library. So thank you so much. And thank you for all the work that you do for our communities.
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 Thank you.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Thank you.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Thanks to both--
 
 Ariana Davis
 Thanks so much for your time.
 
 Michael Pierry
 Take care.
 
 Maureen Sullivan
 Thanks, Ariana. Thanks, Mike. Bye.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Bye.
 
 Ryan Keeler
 Today, we have Danielle Helenski, the school librarian for Shepard Glenn. Hi, Danielle, how are you today?
 
 Danielle Helenski
 I'm well, thank you for having me.
 
 Ryan Keeler
 Thank you very much for joining us. And we want to talk a little bit about what you do as school librarians. So could you give us maybe a description of what a day in the life of the school librarian is like?
 
 Danielle Helenski
 Absolutely. Just to start off with every day is different. We in Hamden are on a letter day system. So every day we are going to meet with kids. But our day starts even before we take classes. We take classes like an art teacher would or the music teacher or the PE teacher. But our day starts long before that. We check in books, we check out books, so we have open book exchange for the children. We are also 100% in charge of the Chromebooks with the help of our tech department. So we come in in the morning, and our day is starting fixing computers. Then students come in and more computers, along with checking in books in and out, then when classes start, we are teaching grades K all the way through six. And as the day goes on, there's issues coming in and out all day long, with book requests from teachers and computer issues. So we are constantly on the move from the moment we get there to the moment we leave servicing the teachers and students as well, obviously.
 
 Ryan Keeler
 Excellent. And people might not know that there are a lot of benefits to the students to having a school librarian. Could you talk a little bit about that?
 
 Danielle Helenski
 Absolutely. From from the perspective of kindergartners, a lot of them have never been to a library before. So opening up their eyes to what a library does, and how to borrow books and things like that. Giving them some real world real life experiences. We start right there with our youngest ones. And as the grades go up, we do lots of different -- like I said -- real world skills from how to use a library to how to use a computer to literacy for different digital platforms. And studies show that school libraries with certified staff have students who are more academically inclined and able to, do to rise to greater challenges with critical thinking skills and being able to analyze and communicate from all different aspects of their education.
 
 Ryan Keeler
 And a lot of people might see in the news, things about book challenges or what they call book banning. And I wanted to take this opportunity to let you talk a little bit about what's called Equity Diversity and Inclusion.
 
 Danielle Helenski
 So in Hamden, in the past 20 years that we have data from, we have never had a formal challenge for books. We do have a process in place, and parents could absolutely speak their mind. If they're, they have an issue. But we have found that, for the most part, it's when a parent is concerned about a book, it's because they don't understand why it's there. And if they their voices heard, and we can explain that there's a reason, then they want it for their own child. Not they're not speaking for the whole population. So we are very, we haven't had to deal with the book challenging piece.

As far as inclusion and diversity and equity, we work very hard, the media department, to make sure we have books that reflect our population. And we have a very diverse population in Hamden. So we want to make sure that our books and our materials in the library reflect our students. Growing up books look like me, the characters look like me, sounded like me, acted like me. And I want to make sure that all of my students have that same opportunity to see themselves in books as well. So we want to make sure all of the books are reflective of our population. Sometimes the populations reflected in the books, parents sometimes get a little concerned with that. So we are able to have open conversations with parents and explain why different books are available in our library, and that it is our place as librarian to provide lots of different kinds of books and provide lots of different kinds of ideas for all children to be able to connect with.
 
 Ryan Keeler
 How can school and public libraries support each other?
 
 Danielle Helenski
 Again, I feel very lucky and to be in Hamden. We do a lot of work with the Hamden Public libraries, particularly my school particularly works with Miller, and we have children's librarian to come into our school and talk about the different programs of summer reading being a big one, but Ms Marcy had come to fifth grade, just the beginning of the school year. So there, it's not just a summer reading thing. And just to let the kids know that we work together across systems, not, we're not standalone, we all work together to support them.

My community is very transient. So there's a lot of new families coming in and out. And a lot of times the families feel more comfortable coming to the library if the school is connected. So I have held programs here at Miller, when they know members of our school will be there. So they come in, and it kind of opens the door to let the families know what services Miller has and can provide for them during -- when we were on remote and when the pandemic was at its height, I was constantly promoting the different services that Hamden Public Library offered as far as digital services. So I think just promoting each other and making sure that families are aware of what everybody has to offer has been super beneficial to our families.
 
 Ryan Keeler
 And for the people who listen to the podcast and for parents of kids in school, how can people out there support their school libraries?
 
 Danielle Helenski
 That's a great question. I think all of the needs of school libraries are very different. And there will be times when there may be physical needs. A lot of schools have makerspaces. And that's a great way to get involved in your school library by donating different materials that are not of use in your home anymore. But as far as in general, supporting school libraries, just knowing that we have a value and we are there to support children and our jobs are diverse in in from reading to digital literacy. And we don't just -- although reading stories to children is very important and a great fun part of my job. We do much, much more than that.
 
 Ryan Keeler
 Danielle, thank you so much for joining us today.
 
 Danielle Helenski
 Thank you for having me. It's great to be able to to talk about libraries and the services that we provide to our students and communities.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Nestled in the corner of Hamden Fire Station Number Two on Circular Ave. and Visiting Nurse Services of Southern Connecticut on Scott Street is Hamden's Brundage Community Library Branch, named in honor of the loving Hamden librarian Louise A. Brundage. It is not only a regular stop for many longtime Hamden patrons to get the newest bestsellers, but also a convenient resource and activity center for children and families, a quiet study space for students and tutors, and a haven for those lacking access to technology. You may remember my personal interview with Ms Sandy Bartell in June regarding her role in the Connecticut Breaking Trail calendar. Listen in as I interviewed her specifically about the Brundage Community Branch. Thank you so much, Ms Sandy for joining me today.
 
 Sandy Bartell
 Thank you, Ariana, for having me.
 
 Ariana Davis
 My first question for you is: the Community Branch was named in honor of Louise A. Brundage. Who was Ms Brundage, and how does the Community Branch contribute to her legacy?
 
 Sandy Bartell
 So Louise Brundage was a former director of the Hamden Public Library, and the community branch was named after her when she retired in 2001. She had worked at the community branch for some time before becoming director. I believe that's where she started, so the branch was named in her honor. Now, I never worked directly for Ms Brundage. But I remember her as being very active in the second hand, Miller bookstore after her retirement. Now, the library staff who have worked for her has spoken very highly of her, And I know that she was dedicated to the patrons and to public service. And we really strive to do the same at Brundage Community branch. But sadly, Ms. Brundage did pass away last July.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Thank you for answering that question, Sandy. When did you begin your current position as branch manager, and also if you could please share what it was like becoming acclimated to this managerial role.
 
 Sandy Bartell
 So I begin my job as branch manager in February of 2004. And I had experience in many different libraries and library settings prior to this beginning with working at my college library in the mid-1980s. So I'm pretty much dating myself here. However, I never really managed an entire building before, with the exception of being a substitute Saturday Branch Manager at one of the New Haven public library branches back when I used to work there. I would say the biggest challenge for me when I started with all the details, a lot of procedural stuff, you know, which form do you fill out for this? What's the correct protocol for that. And I'm also responsible for collection development for the entire branch along with programming. So that was a lot to absorb at once. But luckily, I had some really great people training me. And there's a lot of variety, my job, so it's definitely never boring, but I often have a bunch of irons in the fire at once.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Wow, and serving as the page at Community Branch. I really do appreciate all the work that you do and the many hats that you have to wear within your positions. Thank you. So thank you for that, because it does take a lot of skill to be able to multitask and manage so many aspects of of your library position. My next question for you is: how has the Brundage Community Branch evolved, both in its needs and the services it offers?
 
 Sandy Bartell
 I would say that the way we have evolved is that we have really become the technology hub of the community. When I first started here, we had four public computers, which we received through the Gates grant. And a few years after that we expanded to seven public computers. And especially in the late afternoons, they were often completely full with people waiting. I would say technology needs still remain a constant in this community. This past year, we had a huge volume of people signing up for a one on one computer session with one of our Digital Navigators. Also, there was not a lot of programming at the branch when I started. But the Community branch was one of the recipients of the PACK grant, which stands for "parents and communities for kids". And that allowed us to do weekly programs and really bring in people from the surrounding neighborhood, many who didn't even know that this branch existed. We've also evolved with our hours. September of 2021 we began offering evening hours for the first time in many years, and we've been capitalizing on that by offering programming nearly every Wednesday evening and many of our Wednesdays have become quite busy as a result.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Wow. That's wonderful to hear. Knowing that people are responding to not only hearing about a branch that they might have not known was there, but also seeing that they are coming to and really utilizing the programs that you're offering Absolutely.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Wonderful. It is unfortunate that both Hamden Public Library branches, the Whitneyville as well as Brundage Community Library branch, they have been regularly considered for possible closures and repurposing of their buildings. And your opinion, why are our library branches relevant, integral parts of the Hamden community?
 
 Sandy Bartell
 So let me go back to what I was saying before about technology. There are a fair number of residents in this neighborhood who either do not have a computer at home or may have difficulty affording internet service. And there are also people who don't own a car. I personally know a few patrons who walk or bike as their sole means of transportation. And public transportation isn't always convenient. The one bus that's available on that end of town only goes all the way to Miller Library a couple of times a day. So there are people who need an easily accessible place to come in and use the computer perhaps look for a job. And the branch libraries are a lifeline for these people. And the same with programming. I mean, some extracurricular activities and camps aren't always free. And we offer so many free events for kids and families all year round. And finally, I think the branches also serve as a good introduction to the library because of their size. They're easy to navigate and not so overwhelming for someone who might be a first time library user. And that sort of makes us similar to the old 80s sitcom "Cheers". It's a friendly place where everybody knows your name.
 
 Ariana Davis
 I like that. It has a nice ring to it. My last question is in line with what you brought out concerning programs. Are there any programs or events held at Brundage Community Library branch in the past that stand out in your mind? And are there upcoming programs or events happening that you would like to announce?
 
 Sandy Bartell
 Well, for kids, our science programs are always very popular. We had one in November on dry ice experiments. And also the LEGO club which we offer quarterly is very popular as well. And on our Wednesday evenings, we've additionally started offering some adult programming. We recently had one on retirement planning and before that we had one on Medicare. But coming up in January, I would like to announce a program that is open to adults and also to children ages eight and above. It's a learn to knit program using a technique called arm knitting, and all the participants will learn how to make a scarf. And it will be on Wednesday, January 18 At six o'clock, and registrations will be open on the library's website beginning in early January.
 
 Ariana Davis
 Wow, that sounds really exciting. I love the variety that you have within the programs that appeals to adults to teens to kids. And thank you so much Ms Sandy, not only for the privilege of your time for this interview, but also for all your hard work and diligence, has one of hand in public libraries, brands managers, serving and responding to the needs of our local community.
 
 Sandy Bartell
 Thank you so much.
 
 Michael Pierry
 That's all we have for you this month. Thanks again to our guests, Maureen Sullivan, Sandy Bartell and Danielle Polanski. The Hamden Library Podcast is produced and edited by me, Michael Pierry. Our interviewers for this episode were Ariana Davis and Ryan Keeler. The movie segment was written produced by Mike Wheatley. Transcripts of our episodes are available on our Buzzsprout page. Our transcript editor is Rebecca Coates. Thank you for listening. We'll be back next month.