Donna Straitiff’s first time in a library was a magical experience, one she now gets to relive every day as Rindge’s new library director.
“It was almost like I could hear the stories,” recalls Straitiff, of her first trip to her local library in Pepperell, Massachusetts. “Back in the ’60s, libraries were much quieter than they are now. You could hear pages turning and pencils and pens scratching on paper.”
Straitiff, who resides in Jaffrey, already feels at home in the Ingalls Memorial Library, having shadowed retired director Diane Gardenour for her first few weeks on the job.
Straitiff was previously an employee of the George Holmes Bixby Library in Francestown, and most recently a youth librarian at Keene Public Library.
“I have had the pleasure of working in a small and a fairly good-sized library,” said Straitiff. “The library here is the perfect size for me. It’s a perfect mix of both and I’m excited to be at the helm and able to bring some of my ideas to fruition.”
Straitiff says there is already a lot of great things happening at the library – she says the community and the staff have been amazingly supportive so far – but she would be interested in adding more programming and technology in the coming years.
“I want people to know that this is their library,” said Straitiff. “I welcome everyone’s comments, questions, and concerns.”
Working with the Ingalls 1894 Association to raise money for the upcoming renovation project is also something Straitiff said she wants to help with.
Adding additional space to the library, said Straitiff, will allow for more space for programming and community gathering.
While Straitiff has a clear passion for being a librarian – she said she used to play librarian instead of house as a chils– it wasn’t always her career choice. Prior to becoming a librarian, Straitiff worked as an accountant for a number of years.
Straitiff graduated with her master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2010, 26 years after receiving her bachelor’s degree in science and accounting from the school now known as Southern New Hampshire University.
“I’ve always been a book person,” said Straitiff. “I can still feel the magic when I walk into a library.”
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.