Welcoming Kirsten Woodin to the Millbrook Library

MILLBROOK — Salamanca, N.Y., in the county of Cattaraugus, is 350 miles from Millbrook, and that is where new Millbrook Library Director Kirsten Woodin has spent most of her life. With a population close to that of the town of Washington, Woodin should feel right at home here. Both locales are scenic, small and historic.

Woodin left her home to attend college at SUNY Geneseo and then graduate school at SUNY Albany. Upon obtaining her master’s degree she returned to Salamanca, as manager of the Salamanca Public Library in October of 2014.

It was a major undertaking for a new graduate, but her tenure there proved to be a success. After four years there, which included a $256,000 renovation to the library, she said she felt she had accomplished a good deal. 

Recently, Woodin decided to go outside her comfort zone to seek a new job in a different location. When the position of director for the Millbrook Library was announced, she applied  and on Dec. 18 the Millbrook Library Board of Trustees announced her appointment. Woodin started on Jan. 22.

So far, she has been impressed with the support from The Friends of the Library group, and the community.

“I am looking forward to getting to know all of you,” Woodin said, inviting everyone to stop in to get acquainted. “When a new director steps in that is a great time to make your voice heard.”

An avid reader, Woodin likes sci-fi, non-fiction, nature and science books. Her love of reading is not surprising, given that her grandmother worked in a library, where Woodin spent much of her time.

However, she believes that a library is not just for reading, but for access to information, which she feels is a great equalizer in removing barriers to success.

The library and the director are gearing up for the annual Literary Festival in May, which is one of the biggest events in Millbrook each year. 

Woodin has learned much about the other programs, and is impressed with the children’s activities, the Off the Wall Gallery and many of the events that the library hosts.

In reflecting about her time in the Salamanca Library, she made statements that hold true for libraries around the world.

“There is a common misconception that the library is a storage facility for books, rather than an essential part of any functioning community,” she said. “Libraries are often referred to as cornerstones of democracy. No citizen is fully able to participate in governance without free and open access to information and that is what libraries provide.”

Woodin wishes for people to stop by and introduce themselves; she has a firm handshake and a warm smile. Anyone with ideas for programs is invited to let her know — she’s a good listener. She can also recommend, first hand, some really good books.