Blosveren To Retire As Director At Stratford Library

“It’s been an exciting time for the Stratford Library and I’m proud to have been its director,” Blosveren said. “I’m also very pleased with the advances we’ve made including the availability of current technology resources, an extensive collection of materials in a variety of formats, programming for all ages, a continual collaboration with town agencies and a comprehensive outreach to the entire community of Stratford.” 

Blosvreen has been director for the last nine years. Before that, she was assistant director, senior manager for personnel and youth service and Young Adult Department head.

“Barbara has made a significant contribution over the years to the library. Her creativity and leadership have clearly played a role in making the library the essential town asset it has become,” said Library Board President Judith Hampel.

Blosveren was responsible for creating the nationally recognized and award-winning Teen Services Department at the Stratford Library. She established the library’s monthly Youth Review Board in 1987, a program that provides young people with the opportunity to share ideas, impressions and critical evaluations of books.

The Youth Review Board was cited by the Young Adult Library Services Association and the American Library Association for “Excellence in Library Service to Young Adults,” one of the nation’s outstanding programs.

In addition, the Teen Services Department received the 2001 Excellence in Public Library Service Award given by the Connecticut State Library and the Connecticut Library Association. 

Blosveren has served on American Library Association national committees, including the 2001 Michael L. Printz Award, which annually selects the outstanding young adult book in the nation and the 2006 Margaret Edwards Committee, which nationally recognizes a young adult author for lifetime achievement. 

She served on the Young Adult Library Services Association Advocacy Task Force and the American Library Association Human Resources and Development Recruitment Advisory Committee. 

Blosveren is a member of the Connecticut Library Association, American Library Association, Young Adult Library Services Association, Stratford Community Organizations Council, Stratford Rotary Club, The Square One Theatre Company Advisory Board, the Fairfield Library Administrators Group and the Stratford School Readiness and Child Care Advisory Council. 

There will be a public reception in Blosveren’s honor on Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm in the Stratford Library’s Main Lobby.

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