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06/15/2022 08:30 AMIn 1991, Cindy Baklik went to work at the library in Monroe because it had convenient hours. Thirty years later, she’s still a familiar face at libraries as the adult programmer at the Acton Public Library and as the media coordinator at Haddam-Killingworth School District.
Cindy as been at the Acton Public Library in Old Saybrook a number of years.
“I’ve been in my current position for about four years, and for one year before that I was a Saturday librarian and the Sunday librarian for six years before then,” says Cindy.
In her current role, Cindy says she “comes up with all the programs, so I do a lot of research.” Cindy says she is also charged with things like scheduling, minding the budget, and on occasion hosting events. The events run the gamut from walking events, to food inspired events, to movie showings.
“I make all the flyers for children’s, adults’, and young adults’ programs, too,” Cindy adds.
Cindy says that there are three events coming up this month aimed at different ages about which she is particularly excited. One is a workshop and walk cosponsored by the Conservation Commission.
“It’ll teach three ways to identify and fight invasive plants,” explains Cindy.
The event takes place on Saturday, June 18, from 1 to 3 p.m., rain or shine, at 155 College Street.
Another upcoming event Cindy is excited about is a Juneteenth presentation by Paula Mann-Agnew, the executive director of Discovering Amistad.
“She’ll be talking about the history of the Amistad and the relevance of Juneteenth,” says Cindy.
That event takes place at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 20, at the library.
The last upcoming event is the summer reading kickoff party from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, at Goodwin Field. The event will feature games, crafts, ice cream, and more.
“We also have a lot of good events coming in July and August as well as a lot of groups that meet annually” says Cindy.
The full event listing can be found at the library website www.actonlibrary.org.
Cindy says she got her start in Old Saybrook as a way to augment her time working at the Haddam Killingworth (HK) school district libraries.
“They were open on Sundays, which allowed me to work at HK then work here, too,” explains Cindy.
A career in library services has long appealed to Cindy.
“I started working at Monroe Public library in 1991 and I’ve been working ever since,” says Cindy.
Cindy says at first these started working in the library because the hours were convenient while her kids were young and a family friend had told her a job was available.
“It really just kind of happened,” says Cindy with a chuckle.
Cindy worked at the Monroe library for eight years before she and her family moved to Killingworth, where she was a media coordinator in the school libraries there for 22 years. Sadly, Cindy’s job was cut as the end of this fiscal year.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time working there,” says Cindy.
Asked her favorite part of working in a library, Cindy says, “I really like the organization part and connecting with people.”
In fact, Cindy says it’s hard for her to think of a least favorite part of her job.
“There’s really nothing. Sometimes the scheduling is hard, but really I can’t think of one,” says Cindy.
Cindy originally grew up in Shelton but has called Killingworth home now for a number of years. In her spare time, which Cindy jokes is hard to come by, she says she can be found “spending time with my grandkids and kayaking.”
“I also started the touchdown club at HK when my boys were playing ball there,” she says.
As for a favorite part of Old Saybrook, the town where she has spent about a decade getting to know as a member of the library staff, Cindy says, “My favorite part is the community as a whole. It’s the people.”
To nominate a Person of the Week, email Eric O’Connell at e.oconnell@shorepublishing.com.