Kimberly Demetriou, 46, originally from Rockland County, has recently been hired as the new children’s librarian for the Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz, after veteran and beloved librarian Bonnie Pfeffer retired. Not only does Demetriou realize that she has big shoes to fill, but she’s also attempting to make her mark in the middle of a pandemic – not an easy maneuver, but one that she is handling with optimism, energy and grace.
“Bonnie was near and dear to so many people’s hearts, which I totally understand, so I’m treading lightly and just starting to get to know families and the kids and begin fostering those relationships,” said Demetriou, formerly children’s librarian for the Suffern Library. Her first day at Elting was August 17, and she hit the ground running, trying to meet the needs of the library’s patrons in the midst of a public-health crisis.
“Today was the first day we were able to bring back a more traditional story time, with marked spots for the kids outside on the grass, ten feet apart.” she said. “They had to wear masks until they got to their spot, and then they could take them off. We were in the fresh air and being as interactive as we could be. I had them doing ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes,’ and participating in the story and moving around as much as possible. So that was exciting.” Demetriou ran two outdoor story times this past week and is planning on doing at least two more in the month of October, weather permitting.
While the library does allow people into the building to check out books, use the computers and browse the shelves, historical collection and movie offerings, it’s only allowing ten patrons in the main part of the library at a time and one family in the children’s library at a time. Though the toys have been put away and the games stacked on the shelves, it’s still a magical place of learning and adventure.
“It’s actually worked out well, because families come in, they ask questions, we talk and I get to meet the kids. And then they pick out their books and leave and another family comes in.”
Demetriou said that there hasn’t been a traffic jam, but more of a steady flow. “What we’re trying to do in the midst of all this is to make libraries as relevant as they were before the pandemic. A library is more than just its books and movies. It’s also about community and social interaction, and we’re trying to fill those needs and the greater digital needs that exist right now. In some ways, we’re fortunate that we live in a time where we can communicate and see each other via Zoom or Facebook Live, where we’ve been running story hours for the last 32 weeks running.”
Demetriou said that she plans on shifting the story hour from Facebook Live to Zoom so that she can interact with the kids more and ask them questions, “have them show me their pets, hear what they think about the stories.” She has also been utilizing the free story hours hosted nationally by various children’s authors, and wants “to build connections with people in the community who have various expertise and talents that they might be able to bring to the children’s library and offer some programming.”
Finding ways to help kids get access to the Internet and to computers can be a challenge, as most of their young patrons are forced to do remote learning at the present time. “I’m always here if parents need help navigating the remote learning, and I’ve done a couple of Zoom talks with them to troubleshoot issues they’re having. Just reach out to me and I’ll do whatever I can to assist parents and their kids. We also have wi-fi that is free and open to the public, even if we’re not open. Our courtyard is open, and there are tables outside where people can utilize the Internet.”
While it might not be the ideal time to be a librarian, Demetriou said that this public library in New Paltz was her “dream job.” She is grateful for the opportunity. She added that director John Giralico “and the entire staff has been so welcoming that I feel like I’ve been here for a lot longer than a month.”
If anyone is up for the task of tackling being a children’s librarian, even with the challenges and limitations that this current pandemic world presents, it’s Demetriou. “I believe one of my greatest strengths is having a growth mindset. I see challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. I want the kids I work with to know that it’s okay to make mistakes and to explore new ideas in the library. It is a place to try out new identities and find windows into new worlds. As their children’s librarian, I am excited and privileged to be their guide.”
People can reach her at 255-5030 or kdemetriou@eltinglibrary.org.
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