Boone Library Welcomes New Director

"The first thing was I liked was the coziness of it. I like the small library feel," said Ashley Allen, who was recently named the new director of the Boone Area Library in Birdsboro. "(Smaller libraries) tend to have a closer community of patrons and you get to know your patrons better and they get to know you. When I walked in, I got that instant feel of, 'This is how it's going to be.'"

Allen, who started her new job on Nov. 29, graduated from Bloomsburg University with a bachelor's degree in history and from Clarion University with a master's degree in library science. She previously worked at Northampton Area Library as the senior outreach coordinator.

"(Northampton Library) was not part of a system. It was a stand-alone library," noted Allen. "Collection size and size-wise it was about the same, but we served a larger community - a few more townships than here."

Allen, a resident of Shoemakersville, saw the job opening at the Boone Area Library online and decided to apply because of her desire to become a full-time library director. She is the successor to Crescenda Long, who tragically passed away in June at the age of 35.

Since that time, staff and board members have stepped up to run the day-to-day operations of the library. "Because of everything they went through, they were running the ship on their own. I am learning what they did," Allen said.

She noted that under Long's directorship the library got an updated look with new carpet, a fresh coat of paint throughout and new lighting. New chairs were also put in place in front of the library in Long's honor thanks to patron donations.

"Right now, I am getting to know the staff and they are getting to know me. That is the key priority," said Allen. "You can't really implement (changes) until you get a feel for what is going on. I do have ideas for new programs to bring here that I have done in the past at my old library."

These programs include Trivia Night and Escape Rooms set up right in the library. "(Escape Rooms) are always a big hit; everyone loved them," stated Allen. "They are easy to mix in throughout the year. We did a Halloween-themed Escape Room and a Christmas-themed one. During last summer's reading program with an animal theme, we did 'Escape From the Zoo.' It is something I want to bring here."

Patrons are invited to say hello to the new library director during their next visit. "People will realize there is a new person they see sitting in the back. That's (me)," Allen said.

The Boone Area Library is located at 129 N. Mill St., Birdsboro. Library hours are Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays, 1 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 1 to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Current library offerings include story time for youngsters, book clubs for patrons of all ages and free Wi-Fi. The Boone Book Store and Teen Room are open during library hours.

For more information about programming, visit http://www.facebook.com/boonearealibrary. More information is also available at http://www.berkslibraries.org/branch/boone or by contacting Allen at 610-582-5666 or boone@berks.lib.pa.us.

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