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Community News for Lyme and Old Lyme, CT

Friends of Old Lyme Library Honor Outgoing Senior Staff, Friends

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Stephanie Romano is leaving the Old Lyme Library to take up the position of Chester Library Director.
Stephanie Romano is leaving the Old Lyme Library to take up the position of Chester Library Director.

The Friends of the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes (OL-PGN) Library gathered for their Annual Meeting Wednesday morning. The OL-PGN Library Board President Alan Poirier opened the meeting by thanking the Friends for running The BookCellar, the Bookworm Ball and the Holiday Book Sales.  Leslie Massa, who serves as President of the Friends, then took the floor to pay tribute to some special “Friends.’ firstly, Jenn Hillhouse who has been the treasurer since 1985, and was retiring from that officer position.

Katy Klarnet (right) and Jenn Hillhouse (center) were both honored at the meeting and Steve Ross (left) was welcomed to the Council of the Friends.
Katy Klarnet (right) and Jenn Hillhouse (center) were both honored at the meeting and Steve Ross (left) was welcomed to the Council of the Friends.

Second in terms of being honored by Massa was Katy Klarnet, who was finishing her term as Secretary. Janet Olsen is stepping into that position for the Friends.

The third person on Massa’s list represented a particularly bittersweet moment for the Friends since Access Services Manager Stephanie Romano is leaving to become the Director of the Chester Library.  Her last day is this Friday, June 24, after serving at the OL-PGN Library for nine years.  The community is invited to drop in on the 24th to wish Romano well and enjoy some refreshments courtesy of the Friends. It is planned to be an open house style, low key event.

BookCellar Co-Director Ann de Selding paid tribute to Library Director Mary Fiorelli, who is retiring in September.
BookCellar Co-Director Ann de Selding paid tribute to Library Director Mary Fiorelli, who is retiring in September.

Massa announced that Mary Fiorelli, who has been with the Library since 1997 and Director since 2000, is retiring this September.  The Friends will announce more on her retirement send-off later. On behalf of the Friends, Ann de Selding gave an inspired tribute to Fiorelli’s stellar service to the library.

Ann Roy read a self-composed poem honoring the two outgoing Library directors.
Ann Roy read a self-composed poem honoring the two outgoing Library directors.

Anne Roy then read a delightful poem she had composed for the two outgoing staff members …

The following new Friends were welcomed to the Council: Suzi Bolduc, Jennifer Harvill, Julie O’Brien, Janet Olsen, Steve Ross and Karen Smith.

Best selling author David Handler reviewed the changes over the years in the life of a reference librarian.
Best selling author David Handler reviewed the changes over the years in the life of a reference librarian.

New York Times best-selling author and Old Lyme resident David Handler wrapped up the meeting with his recollections of the Library before the 1995 expansion, mentioning all the wonderful reference librarian personalities that have graced the halls.  He also spoke to the changing technologies remarking how it is often not appreciated how the reference librarian’s job encompasses so much more than a Google search.