One of my favorite aspects of working in a library is getting to know the patrons, even on first-name basis," said Rachel Stewart, who was recently named the new director of the Boone Area Library, noting that she also has a goal of learning what individual patrons liked to read. "Getting to connect with the kids is (also) really special - getting to see the joy on their faces when you add new items or programs. The ability to see everybody is on a daily basis and get to the know the patrons is really important to me."

Stewart grew up in Berks County and recently returned to the area with her husband and daughter to be closer to family. "Exeter is where we call home. I lived (in Berks County) through college, and I moved to Illinois in 2017 and that's where I have been since moving back a couple of weeks ago," she shared. "We knew we wanted to move back, and I had been applying for different jobs around here and this is where I landed."

Stewart, who has spent the last 10 years working in libraries in Illinois, earned a bachelor's degree in library science from Kutztown University and earned her master's degree in library and information science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

She recalled visiting the Boone Area Library as a teenager when she was in search of specific books on her reading list. "I was and still am such an avid reader," she said. "I would get so impatient (waiting for books) during the summer and if I knew my books were available at other libraries, I would go to that library rather than wait to have them sent to the Exeter Library to be picked up."

She interviewed for the Birdsboro library position via Zoom in July and walked into the library for the first time in years on Aug. 19, her first day on the job. "Coming in for the first time, I thought the building was a lot larger than a remembered as a teenager. That may have been because I have not been in every nook and cranny of the library," she noted. "I don't think I knew the community room existed."

"I immediately recognized that there was new carpet and they painted. They definitely have made some improvements," she added.

Since her return, she has seen several old friends from the area. "I already have seen two people that were friends from high school and some acquaintances (have) come through and said, 'I didn't realize you were back.' It's great to see some familiar faces," said Stewart.

One of her first challenges as the new library director is to oversee the installation of a new HVAC system, which provides the library building with heating and air conditioning. "We have some challenges ahead of us, but hopefully we can work through the most pressing issues and work towards some fundraising goals to help make some major building improvements over the next couple of months," Stewart stated. "My main focus is getting the building updated and ready for winter."

She said she plans to continue the programming that the library offers, including its story time program with Amber Hamel, the library's youth program coordinator, and Helping Hands Bingo, which is open to youngsters and senior citizens and meets on Fridays at 10:15 a.m. The library also offers a Lego Club and various book clubs for patrons of all ages. "I have heard nothing but good things about the programs at this library," Stewart said.

The Boone Area Library is located at 129 N. Mill St., Birdsboro. For more information about library programming and a schedule of activities, visit www.facebook.com/boonearealibrary or www.berkslibraries.org/branch/boone. Those with questions may contact Stewart at 610-582-5666 or director@boonelibrary.org.