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02/01/2017 07:00 AMEver since she was young, Mary Cannata has seen the importance of libraries. Growing up in Wallingford, she often visited her local library and as she went through school, she made use of many area libraries. She even makes a point of checking out other libraries when she travels.
“I was always interested in learning additional things and the library has stacks of books and magazines that weren’t available at school,” says Mary. “When I was doing my graduate work [for Southern Connecticut State University], I used any library I could.”
In the early 1990s, Mary moved to East Haven. One of the first things she did as a new resident was head to the Hagaman Memorial Library, but when she got there, it was closed.
“There was a sign that it was closed due to a financial shortfall and if anyone wanted to make comment to go to the Town Council meeting,” says Mary. “I went that night and expressed my interest in library and expressed how the library is an extension of your education.”
After speaking at the Town Council meeting, members of the Friends of the Hagaman Memorial Library approached Mary about getting involved in the organization. Now, Mary has been involved for 23 years and is the current president, holding the position since July. She also served as president in 1994.
“This year there were some changes—I retired so I had more time,” says Mary, who worked for the Department of Social Services for 36 years. “Now there’s always something going on, we’re always preparing for the next activity.”
The next thing the Friends group is hosting is its annual Valentine’s Day Bake Sale, which is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the rotunda of the library. In addition to baked goods, there will also be a raffle basket full of chocolate items.
“We have many volunteers we’ll call upon to bake,” says Mary. “The teens from the library’s teen group will help set up. There are so many pieces and you can’t do it alone. Everyone has a different talent.”
Over the years, Mary has had a chance to meet many people from the staff at the library to members of the Friends group—there are now 91—to those who attend the activities and events hosted by the library and the Friends.
She has worked closely with the library’s director Bruce George as well as Cynthia Gwiazda, the community services librarian. Mary also coordinates activities with Sarah Mallory, who heads up the teen group. In return, the Friends provides snacks for the teen group’s meetings.
“There are some wonderful people who work at the library and who help us,” says Mary. “We couldn’t operate without the teens. They’re very enthusiastic about being involved.”
There are meetings on the second Tuesday of each month (though the February meeting is on Feb. 21) at the library. The meetings are open to the public and Mary encourages those who see the importance of libraries to attend.
“We’ve gotten some new members, which is really nice to have some fresh blood with different ideas,” says Mary. “Some people don’t come to the meetings, but when an activity comes up, they are there. We call on a lot of people to help and we get them.”
The Friends group hosts a variety of fundraisers throughout the year, including a book sale at the Fall Festival and a military whist card party. In addition to fundraisers, the group collects dues from its members. Mary also thanks the local businesses for supporting the group through the donations of funds and goods toward raffle baskets and events.
The funds collected support a variety of programs and activities at the library as well as two scholarships for graduating seniors going on to study library science or English. Over the past few months, the Friends donated $500 to adult programming for a concert in honor of Hispanic heritage month, $300 to teen programming, and $2,000 to the library’s general fund to spend as needed.
“The library is not just a place to get books; there are speakers and activities at the library,” says Mary, who enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and biking. “We’re here and ever-changing with programming for children to adults. People said 10 to 15 years ago said libraries will be passé, but they have really grown in the country as a resource.”
Mary’s support for libraries extends beyond East Haven. In her travels, she has visited libraries in Philadelphia, Vermont, and more. Since those visits, she has donated a magazine subscription to each as a show of support.
“I love walking into these old historical buildings or the libraries in towns that are only open a couple days a week,” says Mary, who also has a special fondness for the Hagaman Library. “You walk into the library and it’s pretty full and pretty active. It’s a beautiful, very historical building.”
Being a part of the Friends group for so many years has affected Mary in many ways. She not only has helped expand and support programming at the library, but she has formed many friendships through the years as well.
“I love the people I work with because we all think the library is important and share the same goals – our libraries are important in the community and we don’t want that idea to go away,” says Mary. “It’s always fun to be involved with a group that feels the same way you do. For many people, the library has been a special part of their life and they want to continue.
“It’s important to realize the library is a resource in the community and if people haven’t been, they should come visit and see what activities there are,” adds Mary. “The Friends want people to know what their library has to offer. We want to be a support to our library and our town.”
For information or to join the Friends of the Hagaman Memorial Library, fill out a brochure available at the library.