Newtown’s Authors To Be Honored

By Nancy K. Crevier

The third floor of the library is a quiet place. Patrons soundlessly browse the reference section and only the intermittent blip of a computer or the microfiche machines, and the occasional murmur of conversation, breaks the mood. Walk through the rooms that connect to the 1998 library addition and yet more quiet places are found. Large wooden tables and comfortable chairs invite study and reflection in either of the rooms that flank the central hall.

It is in one of these still, pleasant rooms that browsing uncovers a wall of very special books shelved, appropriately enough, in the Special Collections room. They are the books written by Newtown authors, first gathered into a collection by library curator Caroline Stokes 25 years ago in celebration of the C.H. Booth Library’s 50th anniversary.

“There was no Newtown authors collection at that time,” said Mrs Stokes. “The books by Newtown authors that we did have were stacked in Mary Hawley’s secretary desk, and none were in circulation. I felt that Newtown authors needed some recognition, so we put out word that we wanted to put up a display of local writers for the 50th anniversary,” she recalled. One hundred and four authors responded to be part of that celebration a quarter of a century ago.

“I’ve watched that collection grow over 25 years,” said Mrs Stokes, “from that pile of quite old books to what it is today.” What it is today is more than 220 titles by more than 110 authors, all of whom have called Newtown home at some point in their lives. The special collection is available for viewing at any time, but the books are not in the library’s regular circulation.

Now, with the library’s 75th anniversary underway this year, Mrs Stokes, along with reference librarian Andrea Zimmermann, and 17-year-old library page Bethany Morin, is looking to celebrate the evolving Newtown authors library collection once again. On June 9, from 2 to 4 pm, there will be a champagne celebration to toast the writers of Newtown, sponsored by The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library.

Forty authors plus their significant others have responded so far to the more than 60 invitations Bethany sent out, and the organizers are hopeful that before the end of the month they will hear positively from the remaining 20 authors, as well as several others who have been invited to the soiree.

“We are limited in how many can attend, but we are encouraging local people who are interested in meeting some of these writers to register at the library while we still have spots open,” said Ms Zimmermann.

The decision to highlight the Newtown authors collection has led to several weeks of preparation for the three women. Under Mrs Stokes’ direction, Bethany reviewed the entire collection and created an inventory, as well as a database, to better track the books, many of which are signed copies or one of a kind. She also typed all of the authors’ biographies that were submitted and which will be displayed in bound form at the reception.

Thirty-nine more biographies of authors from the past have been written up by another local writer, Mary Mitchell, and will also be available for perusing at the June 9 celebration. A display of Newtown’s past authors’ books will be displayed, as well.

Ms Zimmermann has diligently covered those books in need of dust jackets during the past few weeks. “A lot of the books also needed to be labeled. They had to be identified as Booth Library possessions, so they don’t disappear at some point. We are very lucky that that has not happened,” she said.

For Mrs Stokes, going through the books was like rekindling friendships. At age 87 and as curator for many years at the library, she has been personally acquainted with many of the Newtown authors.

“We have eminent authors here in our collection,” said Ms Stokes. “We have some very distinguished authors who have been a part of our community.”

Sandy Hook writer Ray Sipherd, one of the first writers for the Sesame Street series, is one who comes to mind, she said. “Roger Howson is another one. He was the head of Columbia University Library. We have a great number of books by Louis Untermeyer — poetry, essays, other writings. He was extremely prolific. Louie served as the consultant for English poetry for the Library of Congress from 1961 to 1963,” said Mrs Stokes.

“Of course, James Thurber is here. He lived in Sandy Hook. And we have several historical biographies by Bill Swanberg, who is our only Pulitzer Prize winning author from Newtown. Sydney Eddison’s books are part of the collection. So many [authors] are such wonderful people,” Mrs Stokes said.

A former Hawley School teacher, she is particularly proud of the number of Newtown High School graduates who have become authors, and whose works are in the collection now. “Just to have gone on to write a book is a marvelous thing to be celebrated!” she exclaimed.

The reception is drawing “home” authors who have since moved away, she said. “We expect to see George Geckle and Jack Swanberg, Bill’s son, for example,” Ms Stokes said. “I had Lisa Phillips as a third grader and she will be here, too.”

Other local authors represented in the collection include Rachel Basch, Polly Brody, Suzanne Collins, Dan Cruson, Jessica Davidson, Margaret Edwards, David Epp, Al Goodrich, David Gould, Charles Hendrickson, Donald Jackson, Steven Kellogg, John Mullholland, George Nettleton, Charles Rafferty, and Marian Wood.

The collection is a quite eclectic one, according to the three women. “But it is still a good balance of children’s books and adult books,” Mrs Stokes said. The books include technical writings, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, biographies, essays, and how-to books. Some are self-published, while some carry the stamp of prestigious publishing houses. But each one is as highly valued as the next, said Mrs Stokes.

“I don’t know any other communities that have such a collection and have celebrated it,” said Mrs Stokes.

“Local history is one way a library can distinguish itself. It’s a way to keep ties to the community,” added Ms Zimmermann.

The library is constantly on the lookout for books by local authors to add to the collection. “Our only stipulation is that they must be or have been a Newtown resident,” Ms Stokes said. “We do have one exception in the collection, though, I will admit. Woodbury author Harold Cole’s A Few Notes On Trout is in our collection. It was illustrated by Newtowner Betty Christensen,” Mrs Stokes explained.

Any author who has inadvertently been overlooked is invited to call Ms Zimmermann at 426-8552 or contact her at boothref@biblio.org, attention Andrea, prior to May 31. A donation of a copy of the author’s book is requested, as is the submission of a short biography.

“We have been having so much fun planning this reception,” said Ms Zimmermann. “It will just be a wonderful afternoon to greet and meet the authors — a ‘no work’ gathering for them.”

To register for the authors’ reception, call the C.H. Booth Library at 426-4533.