WEST BRATTLEBORO-As I walk into the Brooks Memorial Library director's office, the first thing I notice is a framed silhouette of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. There's the charismatic leader playing a sweet tune and watching all the kids from town dance behind her.
Starr LaTronica - who if you haven't noticed has the name of a superhero - is classically self-effacing. She describes her leadership style as "getting out of the way and letting my incredible staff do their jobs."
When pushed a little on that characterization, she did provide a vision for the future of the Brooks: "The fact is, our success has caused us to outgrow our capacity, both in terms of structure and staffing."
You may have heard that the Brooks recently received a $1.6 million grant for infrastructure. LaTronica lays out the expansion.
The library will add more usable space outdoors that can be accessed at any time, update the back entrance, terrace the municipal lawn to add an outdoor seating space, and add a covered pavilion in back. Both those outdoor spaces will have electric, and the pavilion will be roofed.
Speaking of roofs, the library plans to add a new roof, with solar panels and battery storage. The internet hub will expand to the parking lot, and the meeting rooms will be available after library hours.
"Collaboration is key to any successful project, and on this grant, [which] our amazing Buildings and Grounds Committee, the entire staff, Board of Trustees and community members had only six weeks to put together, we partnered with our fabulous town of Brattleboro colleagues in [the Department of Public Works], the Planning and Finance departments, and the Town Manager's Office," she said. "It could not have happened without any of them."
When queried on what issue might keep her up at night, her compassion shone through.
"Keeping our staff safe and happy, and wondering how they could be fully compensated," LaTronica said. "Because we are here for everyone, we see substance abuse issues, sadness, trauma, even just plain old loneliness of some of our patrons. Because we care about our patrons and our community, we take that home at the end of the day."
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Everyday superheroes, like their comic book counterparts, have origin stories. As part of hers, LaTronica mentions the books that changed her life: "Little Women, of course - maybe because I grew up in poverty without a father in the home. I'd get to the end, cry horribly, and then start over, 'Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents,' grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.'" Then she reels off her favorite authors: Anne Lamott, Maira Kalman, and Hilary McKay.
"I came to libraries for the books, but I came to librarianship for the people," LaTronica says.
True to her lifelong passion for reading and its myriad of enjoyments, she notes that all the towns she has called home over the years have started with the letter B. And then, she lists them in chronological and alphabetical order: Barnum, Iowa; Berkeley, California; Binghamton, New York; and now, lucky us, Brattleboro, Vermont.
"This is my dream job," she says. "I've had a wonderful career, mentored by some of the best librarians in the world." She goes on to mention many by name.
Then she speaks reverentially about the role of a librarian.
"They are not in it for the paycheck. Everybody here at the Brooks cares about the mission - helping others," she says.
Libraries can "exponentially expand the possibilities for everybody," LaTronica adds.
"You can come to the Brooks and get an e-bike, a museum pass, ride down to Northampton, bring a backpack from here with binoculars and a bird book, and go birding on your way to the Emily Dickinson Museum," she says.
"We are not just books and media. Or you can come here, stay warm, charge your phone, and use the bathroom," she says.
Locals may recall when the Sportsmen's Lounge fire recently blew out the internet and electricity for two days for many townspeople. It was the Brooks and their expanded internet facilities that allowed residents to carry on their business and charge their phones.
"We are here for everybody and you can use it in any way you need," LaTronica says.
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With her trademark smile, James Joyce eyeglasses, and sassy sartorial style - inspired, I learned, from making clothes for Barbie in third grade and for herself in junior high school - LaTronica expands on the many surprises awaiting Brooks patrons.
"We have a dedicated staff member here to assist with research and electronic needs. They'll help you navigate new devices or apps, build a resume, fill out job applications or forms. We have an extensive tool lending library with dehydrators and gardening equipment, funded by a grant that was secured by our wonderful town sustainability coordinator, Stephen Dotson.
Starr LaTronica's first passion and returning delight is always kids.
"They get to explore, to their heart's content, any subject. We treat them like individuals - they make their own decisions," she says.
"We value our teens so much we provide them their own room, another specialist, programming, and even snacks," LaTronica adds. "The teens have agency and supervision so they can make healthy choices in a safe environment."
She addresses a group of young people.
"You know, everything we have here and everyone that works here is for you. And it's free!" she tells them. "We only ask that you return items when you are done with them."
One young girl piped up, "Yes! And that's sharing."
Kevin O'Keefe serves on the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library board of directors. He is an avid reader. The Commons' Deeper Dive column gives organizations elbow room to write in first person and/or be unabashedly opinionated, passionate and analytical about their own creative work and events.
This News column was submitted to The Commons.