Welcome back to Behind the Stacks! As always, we’ve got plenty of events coming up as we close out the summer here at the West Haven Library; and we’ve also got some exciting new changes to announce!
The Main Library will be hosting two upcoming informational tables–one for the West Haven Rotary Club and another for information about the importance of dental hygiene with dental students from the University of New Haven. Also keep an eye out for Meditation For Everyday Calm sessions! There is still time to register for our Jellyfish Bracelet craft where adults can learn to create their own handheld loom and try out the jellyfish-style weaving technique! There will be a daytime and an evening session for this craft so check our website for more details. Ora Mason will also have brand new take and make crafts for the month of September–kids can create their own Moving School Bus, and adults will be able to make Spiced Cider Garden Sachets! While you’re there, don’t forget to participate in our Pete the Cat Back to School Scavenger Hunt.
As many of you may have already heard, our Branch Manager at Ora Mason–Maria Tonelli–has retired. We will miss her, but we wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement! With that, we are extremely excited to announce that our part-time assistant, Rebeca Wilson, has been promoted and started her new role as Branch Manager on August 18th! We are thrilled to have her on board and cannot wait to see all the wonderful things she will bring to the West Shore community!
Letter from the Director:
Greeting West Haven! As summer winds down and hopefully some of the super-hot weather does as well, I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about one service you may not realize we have at the library, working with a social worker! And don’t forget we are a cooling center if you need a place to cool off for a bit during our Open Hours!
Over almost 17 years at the library, I have seen the needs and the assistance that people seek information and help for change at the library. While we still very much can show you how to set up an email address, attach a resume in your email, navigate social media and show you resources, we are not trained in the unique help that a social worker can provide. Librarians can show you where the form you may need to fill out for housing or heating assistance is located, but we do not have the resources to help you fill out the form or the contacts for the help you need. This is where Alyssa, the city’s social worker, comes in! Since April of 2023, we have been lucky to have the city’s first social worker conduct office hours at the library twice a week! Alyssa is often at the public tables at the main library, with open times for people to come in and talk to her about their unique issues or concerns, in a friendly and open environment. The library also has private cubby areas in our basement level that can be then used for more private conversations. Alyssa is here on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Alyssa has been a wonderful addition to the library and has helped with several issues on the fly when she’s been at the library. The next time you stop in, be sure to go over and say hi!
Colleen Bailie