Stonington Free Library

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January 8, 2021

STONINGTON FREE LIBRARY ANNOUNCES THE RETIREMENT OF LIBRARY DIRECTOR BELINDA DE KAY

A longtime welcoming presence at the Stonington Free Library (SFL), Director Belinda de Kay has announced her plans to retire. Belinda joined the Library over 30 years ago as a part time circulation staff member, becoming Assistant Director and ultimately Director in 2015. After spending the past 2+ years overseeing major construction and renovation projects, Belinda says that this is the perfect moment to make a transition in leadership that has been planned for some time: “Now that these projects are completed, the Library will be moving forward into a whole new chapter in its history. We need younger energy and 21st Century skills to lead the Library, and no one is better qualified to do this than Assistant Director Micayla Hall.”

During Belinda’s tenure as Director, the Library has experienced dynamic growth and change. Beginning with a forward-looking Strategic Plan and a series of Community Conversations setting out some ambitious goals and ending with a pandemic, Belinda’s consistent advocacy, strong leadership and deep community relationships have been critical to SFL’s success. Denise Easton and Allegra Griffiths, Co-Presidents of the Board, expressed their enormous gratitude for Belinda’s leadership. “Belinda has been the guiding light leading the way for the Library to complete important strategic priorities, including the building projects and the associated capital campaign. Her steadfast commitment to serving the Stonington community and supporting her Library team inspired us all. We could not have accomplished this without her, and we are so thankful for her contribution.”

In addition to the physical improvements at the Library, Belinda has also overseen an expansion of its programs and service offerings. Under Belinda’s leadership, the staff and a dedicated team of volunteers have extended the reach of the Library, both physically and digitally, with Library branches at the PNC and Stonington Human Services, customized programs at Masonicare and StoneRidge and increased offerings of online services available 24/7. SFL has also helped to bridge the digital divide by providing access to broadband internet service, computers, software and technology help for anyone in the Stonington community.

Belinda’s commitment to collaboration and support for all community organizations is evident in her work to re-establish the Stonington Non-Profit Roundtable, bringing together many local non-profit groups to share resources, programs and special events. A lasting love of literature and our community’s special literary heritage will endure in Belinda’s vision to bring together the Stonington Village Improvement Association (SVIA) and the Merrill House to create the Sandy McClatchy Memorial Library and Poetry Corner in the Library gallery. This collection is a treasure that inspires visitors and scholars from around the world to experience the inspiration of poetry and literature.

Judge Nick Kepple, former President of the SFL Board of Trustees shared his thoughts on Belinda’s retirement. “Belinda‘s contribution to the Stonington Free Library and the community is all but impossible to calculate. Her kindness, compassion for service and wisdom became the personality of the library, which I affectionately call our ‘jewel on the green’. Belinda has been the shining diamond who has shown us the way forward so successfully over the years she has served the library as Director.”

Belinda shares her parting thoughts, “It has been a truly wonderful experience being at the Library over the past five plus years. It has been a privilege to work with a team of extraordinary people, both staff and volunteers, whose tireless dedication and many skills have brought about the construction project and the refurbishment and repurposing of the interior which will enable the Library to fully serve the needs of the community now and into the future. The breadth, range and complexity of all this is extraordinary but what stands out to me as the most important aspect of this whole enterprise is that it has been, from day one, a community based project. I feel that over these years the Library has built a strong and enduring network of mutual support in this wonderful place. It has been a delight and an honor to have been a part of this very special institution.”

After stepping down as Director on January 11, Belinda plans to remain engaged with the Library as Director Emeritus in a part-time capacity. She will continue curating the adult library collection, writing for the Library and assisting with our programming and outreach.

Filed Under: Adults, Homepage, Uncategorized

 

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Adults book group Books & Reading children hallow-read halloween kids Library Life Mystery Dinner online Outreach social summer reading Sunday Evening Lecture Series teens Youth youth services

Archives

 


SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP – Join us on Thu
SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP - Join us on Thursday 6/8 @ 2pm to discuss Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon. "One night in 1917 Beatrice Haven leaves her newborn baby at the foot of a pear tree, and watches as another woman claims the infant as her own. The unwed daughter of wealthy Jewish industrialists and a gifted pianist bound for Radcliffe, Bea plans to leave her shameful secret behind. Ten years later she returns, but is inadvertently reunited the woman who has been raising Bea's abandoned child—now a bright, bold, cross-dressing girl named Lucy Pear, with secrets of her own." Email millie@stoningtonfreelibrary.org for more information!

Join us to hear Catherine DeNunzio share her new b
Join us to hear Catherine DeNunzio share her new book of poems, Enough Like Bone to Build On. https://conta.cc/3OVehy4
https://conta.cc/43A6REC

Most of us put off any discussion about this last
Most of us put off any discussion about this last stage in life. Why? It is going to happen to all of us whether we are ready or not. 

If you have questions or concerns about the last stage of life come join End-of-Life Doulas Noreen Kepple, Greta McGugan, and Lavina Kepple for conversations around this important topic. They are here to help get the dialogue started and navigate the issues surrounding dying.

Registration is strongly encouraged. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdywSQrhG6jo7s8USYB_klj1KLZVghf3BwC1tpgsHdoqtX2Pg/viewform?usp=pp_url

JUNE GRAB & GO Enjoy some old fashioned fun with p
JUNE GRAB & GO	Enjoy some old fashioned fun with paper dolls!  Color, cut, play! While supplies last.

See what's new this week at the Stonington Free Li
See what's new this week at the Stonington Free Library at:

*** http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?in&p=5591-335 ***

There are six new bestsellers, nine new children's books, and ten other new books.

 The new bestsellers this week include "Cherish," "No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model," and "Rogue Justice."

School is almost out! Check out our summer reading
School is almost out! Check out our summer reading program and all the special events planned for this summer. https://conta.cc/3CahAK5


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Newsletter Archive

Events Calendar

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  • June 2023

Calendar of Events

M Mon

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F Fri

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S Sun

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1 event, 31

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured May 31 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

1 event, 3

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

MYSTERY DINNER 2023

June 3 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

MYSTERY DINNER 2023

BOOKS AND BEYOND - The Power of Your Library Card For over a decade, the Mystery Dinner has been the Stonington Free Library’s signature annual fundraising event. Join us for cocktails at the

0 events, 4

1 event, 5

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

June Grab & Go Paper Dolls Ages 4 and up

June 5 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

June Grab & Go Paper Dolls Ages 4 and up

0 events, 6

1 event, 7

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured June 7 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

2 events, 8

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

June 8 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

Join us on Thursday 6/8 @ 2pm to discuss Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon. "One night in 1917 Beatrice Haven leaves her newborn baby at the foot of a

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CONVERSATIONS ON DEATH AND DYING

June 8 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CONVERSATIONS ON DEATH AND DYING

Most of us put off any discussion about this last stage in life. Why? It is going to happen to all of us whether we are ready or not. If

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

1 event, 11

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

CATHERINE DENUNZIO POETRY READING

June 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

CATHERINE DENUNZIO POETRY READING

Catherine DeNunzio’s poems range widely. But they all share a single quality: They are deeply, eloquently human. No matter what their focus—a snakeskin, a bird’s wing, a baby’s silver cup—these

0 events, 12

0 events, 13

1 event, 14

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured June 14 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

2 events, 15

2023-06-15

Juliet Grames discusses The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

Juliet Grames discusses The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

June 15

Juliet Grames discusses The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

More details coming soon.

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

JULIET GRAMES AUTHOR TALK

June 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

JULIET GRAMES AUTHOR TALK

Juliet Grames was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up in a tight-knit Italian-American family. Her debut novel, The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna (Ecco/HarperCollins), was shortlisted for

0 events, 16

0 events, 17

0 events, 18

0 events, 19

0 events, 20

1 event, 21

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured June 21 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

0 events, 22

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0 events, 26

0 events, 27

1 event, 28

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured June 28 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
May 31
Featured Featured May 31 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 3
June 3 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

MYSTERY DINNER 2023

  • There are no events on this day.
June 5
June 5 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

June Grab & Go Paper Dolls Ages 4 and up

  • There are no events on this day.
June 7
Featured Featured June 7 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

June 8
June 8 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

June 8 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CONVERSATIONS ON DEATH AND DYING

June 11
June 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

CATHERINE DENUNZIO POETRY READING

June 14
Featured Featured June 14 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

June 15
June 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

JULIET GRAMES AUTHOR TALK

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 11
June 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

CATHERINE DENUNZIO POETRY READING

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 14
Featured Featured June 14 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

June 15
All day

Juliet Grames discusses The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

June 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

JULIET GRAMES AUTHOR TALK

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June 21
Featured Featured June 21 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

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June 28
Featured Featured June 28 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

  • There are no events on this day.
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20 High Street

PO Box 232
Stonington, CT 06378

860 535 0658 Phone
860 535 3945 Fax
email us

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

LIBRARY HOURS

Monday, 10-7
Tuesday, 10-7
Wednesday, 10-7
Thursday, 10-7
Friday, 10-5
Saturday, 10-3
Sunday, 10-3

 

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© 2023 · Stonington Free Library · Photography by Peter Goldberg · Design & Development by // DESIGN AGENCY //

  • MY LIBRARY
    ▼
    • YOUTH LIBRARY
    • ADULT LIBRARY
    • USING THE LIBRARY
    • LIBRARY SERVICES
    • LIBRARY CATALOG
    • DIGITAL LIBRARY
  • WHAT’S HAPPENING
    ▼
    • BOOK GROUPS
    • NEWS
    • EVENTS
  • SUPPORT
    ▼
    • THE BATTLE OF STONINGTON 5K
    • BOOK SALE
    • CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2020
    • MYSTERY DINNER
    • SPONSORSHIP
    • BOOK SALE
    • SUPPORT US
    • SUPPORTERS
    • VOLUNTEER
  • ABOUT US
    ▼
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR PEOPLE
    • OUR COMMUNITY
    • OUTREACH
  • DONATE NOW