Reception Being Held for Linda Newman

Linda Newman has worn many hats during her tenure at the Bradford Area Public Library - director, chief executive officer and president. Now, the only hat she's looking forward to wearing will say "retired."

Newman, who has spent the last decade at the helm at the library, will retired as of Sept. 30.. A farewell reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the library. Light refreshments will be served. The reception is open to the public.

For those who worked with Newman, her absence will surely be felt.

"When Linda came to Bradford, the library was at a low ebb," said Madeline Miles, chairwoman of the BAPL's Resource Development committee. "She helped move the library ahead by working well with community leaders like those of One Book Bradford, Derby Committees and the Friends of the BAPL who assisted in making the Bradford Area Public Library an important part of our community."

This is something that Newman herself counts as one of her successes.

"Broadening the support base of the library ... cultivating a welcoming environment," she said of her proudest achievement. "Making changes without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Generally, to use a pretty hokey analogy, keeping the Library afloat on a steady course as it continues to navigate an ocean full of funding icebergs, rapidly changing technology currents and hidden shoals of all sorts."

Newman's efforts regarding technology have not gone unnoticed.

“Linda has brought a decade of stability to Bradford Area Public Library, and has successfully launched technology as a necessary library tool,” said Ed Pecht, who is on the board of trustees.

Newman takes the library's role in the community very seriously and hopes more and more people call on its resources.

"It is centrally located, it is accessible, it is non-judgemental and it is a place where people and technology can and do coexist," she said. "It truly is a community center, free to all people ... I like to say 'you never outgrown your public library.' I think this is particularly true here."

One thing that is vital for the library is the continued community support.

"A broad base of support reinforces the public part of the public library. It is gratifying to know that when choices need to be made, individuals and groups in this community very frequently choose the library as the place to give of their time, their talents and their treasures," Newman said.

"Many of the letters I write are thank you's. They never talked about that in Library school; fortunately, my mother was a stickler for acknowledging gifts — her training has served me well in Bradford."

After she retires, Newman and her husband, Dave, plan to travel to visit friends and family.

"We hope to be back in Bradford before serious snow flies. But after that, nothing is cast in stone."