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11/15/2017 07:30 AMShe’s North Branford’s first new library director in over 40 years, but Lauren Davis may be a familiar face to many. Just a few weeks into the role, the North Branford native is looking forward to pulling in the community to learn, create, and participate in offerings at the town’s two-building library system, Atwater Library (North Branford) and Smith Library (Northford).
A current town resident, Lauren’s been on the job as North Branford Library Director since Oct. 30. For someone who grew up frequenting the original Atwater and Smith library buildings, then worked for the town’s library system for a year right out of graduate school in 2005, “coming back has almost been like coming home. It’s really full-circle,” says Lauren.
In fact, Lauren credits Bob Hull, the town’s librarian of 41 years, with inspiring her to find her career in public library services. Hull retired in September.
“When I graduated with my master’s degree, I approached Bob looking for experience,” says Lauren, who earned her master’s in library science from Southern Connecticut State University. “I was still trying to figure out what avenue I wanted to take—academic library, public library...so I approached Bob and asked if I could volunteer.”
As it happened, a part-time post was available because a staffer was on medical leave. Hull offered Lauren the temporary post. The following months cemented Lauren’s career choice.
“He basically provided me with the foundation I needed to realize, yes, public libraries were where I wanted to be,” says Lauren. “I loved working with the public, the variety of people you helped; and day to day, it was different. So that confirmed what I wanted to do.”
Lauren has been a public library professional ever since. She hopes she can someday pay her experience forward, as Hull did for her.
“As a professional now, I know that being able to shadow somebody is just so important. I think that’s what he gave me that I will always be grateful for; and if I can pass that on to somebody, I would love it. He took the time and patience to show me things that would be beneficial in my career. I think the world needs more people like that, who take the time to actually show the next generation, ‘This is what you can do.’”
Just as her temporary work window with Hull was drawing to a close, Lauren won the job of assistant library director at Killingworth Public Library, where she worked for the past 12 years.
“I met so many wonderful people; and I would never have left Killingworth if wasn’t for a place I knew that was equally wonderful,” says Lauren. “Now, I’m back working with a lot of the same people that I did 13 years ago, and I think that’s telling of Bob and what he did here, and just how dedicated and committed the staff is to this library and this town.”
While Lauren admits filling Hull’s shoes is “a little intimidating,” the North Branford High School alumnae (Class of ‘97) does have aspirations for North Branford’s library system. She’s been meeting with staff to discuss their library hopes and dreams, as well.
“They do have a desire to see this library succeed. It’s nice to be able to move forward knowing that people are committed,” says Lauren.
To make a leap forward, Lauren is working to throw the physical and digital doors of the library open wide to the community. She wants the buildings and services to further assist individuals, groups, and organizations by welcoming their ideas, input, and interaction.
“Libraries are not just about ‘come and be quiet’ anymore,” says Lauren. “I want people to come in and tell us what they want to see. We’re not going to go by the old playbook; we’re sort of rewriting it, and playing off of what people are looking for.”
She says programming is already vibrant at both buildings, where dedicated staff members have a pulse on patrons’ interests. But Lauren also imagines a more cohesive system that will draw residents to either side of town for interesting offerings at both buildings. Moreover, she wants to capture their online involvement through what is going to be a revitalized website, as well as a stronger social media presence, for North Branford’s libraries.
“I want to create a balance where you don’t lose your traditional services; but you can also go further with new technology or resources you can access from home because that’s more convenient,” says Lauren. “It still makes you a library user, even if not stepping foot in the building — so let’s try to accommodate that.”
Lauren also wants to generate more involvement between the libraries and the community.
“It would be nice to create more collaborations with different businesses, or groups in town, and basically get out in the community,” she says. “We don’t necessarily expect them to come to us; but hopefully, once they know what we have, it will be a way of drawing more people in.”
Lauren adds she would love to see more volunteers at the library, and especially encourages residents to join and support the Friends of the North Branford Libraries. At libraries across the state, all-volunteer Friends groups generate creative, community-building fundraisers which ultimately benefit programs and needs of libraries above and beyond what a municipal budget can provide.
One of Lauren’s goals is a “maker spaces,” beginning with public access to a 3D printer in the near future. The possibilities for public library maker spaces are huge, says Lauren, who welcomes community input to help target needs.
“It can be working with video, a laser, a soldering tool...anything that allows people to tinker, explore, play, create, experiment,” says Lauren. “I think that’s a new way of learning we need to take advantage of; and a great way to get people learning in a different way.”
Whether the library offerings are cutting edge or traditional, every program and service will have the goal of “enriching the lives of people in the community,” says Lauren.
“I think that is a key that needs to be focused on, and it should be about enriching lives in a variety of ways,” says Lauren. “Whether you need a friendly face to talk to, because that’s the only face you’ll see all day; or if you want try your hand at a 3D printer, which will be up and running soon; we’re here to serve you. I really want people to tell us what they are looking for, and make suggestions and recommendations. We have the opportunity to play a more interactive role in the community, and hopefully offer more dynamic services. I’m looking forward to that. Rather than being a static building, I’d much rather see us being an active member of the community.”
To contact Lauren Davis, contact director@northbranford.lioninc.org.