NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - It was hard to say who had missed story time at the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library in North Salem more: Miss Elizabeth, or the tiny folks listening attentively as she read from picture books and led them in silly songs using a menagerie of puppet pals.
Parents were also overjoyed to once again be in a safe and stimulating space where their children could play, learn, and socialize.
The town's educational and cultural pillar welcomed back patrons of all ages on Wednesday, Aug. 5, after a six-month hiatus due to a mold remediation project.
(It also got a refresh with brand-new blue carpeting.)
Staff is now focused on patron services and getting RKML up and running. Its full schedule of programs is expected to resume the week of Sept. 21.
While the building was closed, the library continued to offer virtual programs and digital resources. Books and materials could be borrowed from other members of the Westchester Library System.
Local businesses and organizations such as Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard and the Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden stepped up to provide venues for library doings.
“It’s been a team effort,” said Miss Elizabeth, aka children’s librarian Elizabeth Joyce, both excited and relieved to be back in the saddle.
Jenn Gileno, head of youth services, wholeheartedly agreed.
“It feels like a long time. We worked really hard to get here. The staff has been amazing,” she said, thanking patrons for their “patience” while the project was underway.
“The library is a place for the community and the community really supported us and waited,” Gileno added.
“I feel like one of our biggest fears was that our babies were going to grow up and forget us in the six months that we were gone, but to see their little faces remember us, remember Miss Elizabeth, is everything,” she said, beaming.
Ana Wear brought along her daughters, 4-year-old Carys and Risa, who at 10 months old is already attempting to toddle.
“We’re so excited. It’s always been an important place for the kids to be able to come,” she said, pointing to Carys, who was happily crafting jewelry from brightly colored beads with 7-year-old pal Brianna Cernik.
“These two love the library. They’ve really grown up here,” Wear said.
“It feels like family here. Everyone is super nice. We really missed everyone,” said Brianna’s mom, Nadya. “We always tell everyone we have the best library.”
Nine-year-old Charlotte Twist settled down in a comfy chair to read while her little brother was taking part in story time.
As he recited the counting rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock" with Miss Elizabeth, she described her book to a reporter.
“It’s about this girl and she had trouble making friends. I only just started it, but I can tell it’s going to be good,” she said.
Charlotte’s crew sorely missed the library when it was closed.
“We’d just kind of hang out at my house. We were bored and just wanted something to do. Now that it’s opened back up again, we’re all here,” she said.
Gigi LeClair was there to get her new library card.
She said she’d been disappointed to find the place closed earlier this summer but was now excited to “see all the books back and to be able to walk right in the door.”
A wee bit too old for story time now, the 20-year-old has fond memories of attending children’s programs such as a (stuffed animal) sleepover.
“That was a blast,” she recalled.
Manning the circulation desk on opening day was a “very, very happy” Amy Kendall, who admitted that it "was a long six months of waiting to get back in here."
Library Director Cathleen Sulli echoed that sentiment.
“We’re so delighted to be back. We were out in the community and got to see some of our patrons and we’re so happy to see them back in the library,” she said.
Library folks are looking forward as well.
“With the guts of the building now upgraded and fixed, we’re really ready to build the library of the future that the town needs and wants. So, the bones are now good for the next phase,” Gileno said.
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