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09/14/2022 08:30 AMIf life were a storybook, Blackstone Teen Librarian Sarah Mallory could write some amazing chapters. In this case, chapter one would find every book lover in town headed to the Friends of the Blackstone Library Fall Book Sale on the Branford Green, coming Thursday, Sept. 22 through Sunday, Sept. 25. All proceeds benefit the library.
“Their 35th annual book sale on the Branford green is coming soon, and I would like to invite everyone reading to attend this town-wide spectacular, which will have over 60,000 items for sale,” says Sarah.
The 2022 Friends of the Blackstone Library Book Sale will be held Thursday, Sept. 22 through Sunday, Sept. 25 on the Branford Green, under the big tent. General Admission to the public is free to the sale. The sale is open from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 22; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 23 and 24; and noon to 3 p.m. on Sept. 25 for the $10 bag sale. The sale offers an incredible array of gently used books and media at rock bottom prices. All-volunteer Friends members work year-round to sort and store the books, all of which have been donated by the public, for the annual sale. Find more information at blackstonelibrary.org
As Teen Services Librarian for the Blackstone Library, and as a member of its Strategic Planning Committee, Sarah can truthfully say the impact of the proceeds raised by the Friends through the annual fall book sale make a huge difference in the range of materials, programming, events and offerings found at the library.
“The Friends of the Library is the strongest partnership a library has— it’s a charity organization run by volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to fundraising and to raising awareness for the library. The work they do has a direct impact that you can see on our library shelves and in our list of available programs. Their time, their dedication, and their fundraising make it possible for us to provide so many fantastic, free programs for the community. I just can’t say enough how impactful a strong Friends group is.”
By the Book
One of Sarah’s other storybook notions is that, as a librarian, she should probably be living in “...a quaint little house at the edge of the woods,” she says.
“In truth, I’m still looking for my storybook house, where I hope to someday build a home with my wonderful fiancé, Justin Strickland, and our two cats, Teddy Graham and Pippi Longstocking. I call it our ‘storybook house’ because I’m a librarian, so any house we own will be full of stories!”
In her 10 years as a librarian, including the past three with the Blackstone, Sarah says she has found the work she loves. That being said, she adds, “..it’s been a busy three years!” at the Blackstone.
During that time, the Blackstone has experienced a renovation and expansion to bring in its new ground-floor lobby entrance, a computer lab and stunning outdoor terrace. Inside, the Youth Services Department relocated to the ground level. That made room for Sarah’s library “home:” the new Teen Space, exclusively for grades 5 to 12.
“What I’ve been surprised, but really impressed by, is how creative the teens in Branford are,” says Sarah of the youth she works with at the Blackstone.
“For example, we have a Dungeons and Dragons Club. Our Dungeon Master, Spencer, comes in to work with the teens. They build their own characters and go on interactive adventures where they’re coming up with the story together.”
Once-monthly “Take and Make Crafts” kits for teens are also a very popular teen library program.
“We call it the program with no schedule, because you come in and pick up the kit; and then you do it on your own schedule,” she says.
Some of the fun kits are food-based. They help teens learn basic cooking skills, abbreviations for measurements, how to measure, and gain knowledge of a basic recipe.
Helping Build a Strategic Plan
As a member of the library team, Sarah is also pleased to have helped with the library’s development of a strategic plan, to help create a road map for the community’s future interactions with the library.
She says the process has helped the group to recognize that, beyond books, “...programming is a key component of what we offer for the community. And many of those key service programs that the community is asking for are sponsored by the Friends of the Library.”
The committee has been working on the new long-term plan since February of 2021. Sarah notes the work has involved, “...assembling a library of knowledge about the town and its needs, interviewing members of the community for feedback, and assessing the data collected to decide how the library can best serve the community, moving forward.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of that strategic planning process, and I am so proud of the work we’ve done to ensure the library continues to serve the community in the ways that matter most for them,” Sarah says. “It’s just one of the ways the staff at Blackstone Library is ensuring the future is bright for Branford!”
An Exciting New Chapter Ahead
Sarah also has some exciting news for her future: the recent announcement that she has been selected as the next director of East Haven’s Hagaman Memorial Library.
Sarah will finish up her role with the Blackstone this fall. Then, she’ll take up directorship at the same library where she worked earlier in her professional career.
Sarah grew up in East Haven and also remembers visiting the Hagaman library as a little girl. She checked out her first library book, featuring a unicorn, from the Hagaman.
“Sometimes people ask why I chose a career in public service,” says Sarah. “I credit my parents, Bob and Kathy Mallory, who are both kind people with big hearts. My father is a vegetarian and believes in kindness to all creatures; my mother is an ordained minister who dedicates much of her time to charity work. They may not have realized it’s what they were teaching us at the time, but they raised me and my brother, Rob Mallory, to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, while always working to make it a better place. The library may only be one small part of our community, but it’s where I choose to make the world a better place.”
Sarah says the thing she loves most about a library is that it welcomes those from “...all walks of life, of all beliefs, and from all backgrounds.”
“It is one of the only places left in the modern world where there is no entrance fee, every book and program is free, and the staff genuinely want to help you. Whatever you’re looking for when you walk through the doors, the library is here for you.”
Sarah says she is incredibly appreciative of the time she has enjoyed as a member of the Blackstone Library team.
“I have learned many lessons at Blackstone, and I have loved my time here, working with the library’s incredible staff, wonderful volunteers, and especially the teens.”
As for her new chapter with the Hagaman, she says “...I am excited to begin collaborating with Hagaman’s own wonderful staff, library board, and Friends of the Library, to guide Hagaman into the future.”
“I am especially looking forward to hearing from the community, to learn what they need and want from their library, so we can provide it in new and exciting ways,” says Sarah. “If life is like a storybook, this will be a grand new adventure. And I can’t wait to see what comes next!”