Goals, dreams and a love of libraries

SHARON — The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon announced last week that Robin Yuran and Lorraine Faison will serve as co-executive directors beginning July 1. 

Faison will focus on community outreach and developing partnerships between the library and community. Yuran will work on the library’s services to the community, especially the children’s program.

Faison was director of the Hotchkiss library from 1999 to 2001, before moving on to the same position at the New Milford, Kent and Morris libraries. She returned in January to serve as interim director while the library board searched for a permanent replacement following the departure of Meg Szalewicz.

In an interview with The Lakeville Journal, Faison said that after retiring in 2012, she found herself yearning to return to the field and applied for the interim position when she heard of the opening. She then enjoyed her time back so much, she approached the board about the possibility of staying on in a co-director position with whomever they chose.

“It’s important to get the community involved with the library, particularly the teenage adolescent age group. 

“My goal is to begin bringing in town groups and other organizations that represent the underserved population and start developing programs that will attract those individuals to become part of the library community,” said Faison.

Yuran previously served as the co-director of the Norfolk Library with Rich Dann until 2012. She also works as a language arts and creative writing teacher at the Pittsfield IS183 school in Pittsfield, Mass.

In an interview with The Lakeville Journal, Yuran said that she enjoyed her time in Norfolk and missed working in a library. When she heard of the opening in Sharon, she jumped at the opportunity to get back into the field.

In her new postion at the Hotchkiss Library, Yuran will focus on services to the community. She is already in the process of creating a partnership with Sharon Center School and has had many of the grades visit the library during the day for different activities.

“I really enjoy the community. Everyone is so generous and kind. I also love that it is a dog-friendly library and look forward to beginning my tenure in July,” said Yuran.

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