A Big Change

A Final word from Tracy: 
In 2022, we seemed to get closer to our new normal after two years of constant change due to Covid. We focused heavily on bringing back programming and reintegrating the library into the everyday lives of East Kingston townspeople. We started by helping the elementary school celebrate Read Across America in March. In May, we had two broken-down propane furnaces replaced by new heat pumps. With our roof full of solar panels slated to be ours in 2023, many thanks to the Friends of the Library for raising the funds, we are looking forward to producing enough electricity to run our building entirely off the power of the sun.
Oceans of Possibility was this years fabulous summer reading theme. Under Zoe’s artistic direction, the library became an undersea masterpiece, complete with waves, jellyfish, sea creatures galore and the yellow submarine. Programs were plentiful and attendance exceeded our expectations. It was, by far, our most attended Summer Reading Program to date.
Yoga returned to the library this year. East Kingston’s own Angela Macero started teaching two day per week. She started outside on the lawn during the good weather where attendees could be warm in the sun and listen to the birds. The program has since moved inside as the weather got colder. We look forward to more yoga in 2023.
We were approached in May by Tim and Becky Jones to see if we would be interested in hosting a Farmer’s Market in the months of July, August and September. We worked with the Jones’ and hosted three wildly successful markets. We thank them for their spirit of community and look forward to working with them again.
In the fall, we hosted Courageous Community Conversations with surrounding libraries. We put on six weeks of programming about diversity, gender and justice for all. We concluded with a Human Book where you could check out a person for 15-20 minutes. We had “books” ranging from a young adult with autism, to a transgendered person, an adult with ADHD, a mother who went through adoption, and so many more. They opened themselves to questions and helped spread understanding. We look forward to doing this programming again in the years ahead.
The EK Conservation Commission continues to work hard for the town and we hosted them twice this year to help spread information about conservation easements. Shelby Stabile graciously volunteered to take care of our community gardens. She planted flowers and vegetables that the kids and guinea pigs enjoyed and we appreciate her efforts.
On a personal note, I would like to thank the people of East Kingston. I started my job in 1995 when I had two small children at home, just as a way to get out of the house and talk to adults. It became something very different and it never has never once felt like work. I started at the Pound School when we were open just 28 hours per week. We had over 17000 books in that tiny building. Just when I thought that the floor couldn’t possibly take any more weight, the town voted to build a new library. The new building presented so many new possibilities, and we were soon open 36 hours per week. Today the library is a community center that offers so much more that books. It is a place that people who live in a bedroom community can connect. I am proud to have been part of that evolution. I want to thank all the people who helped to make the library what it is today.
In October I was surprised to be awarded Library Director of the Year, by the NH Library Trustee Association. Thank you to the trustees and staff who nominated me. It was quite an honor and a fabulous way to end my career.
I am so thankful to be leaving the library in the hands of Zoe Sucu. Zoe has been using the library since she was a toddler and she has worked for the library for eleven years. Two years ago she completed her Masters Degree in Library and Information Sciences. The skills she brings to the library are vast and I know she will continue to make the library an inviting and welcoming place.
​I am very much looking forward to 2023 and all that the Library will do. I will be back to visit soon.
Respectfully, Tracy Waldron