The C.H. Booth Library may have gone through some changes earlier this year, but it has continued to provide the community with a wide variety of fun, educational programs for all ages to enjoy, thanks to its dedicated staff.

After former library director Karen Tatarka left the position in July 2017 — resulting in assistant director Beryl Harrison stepping in as interim director — Douglas C. Lord became the new director on February 1, 2018.

Mr Lord had been selected with the help of a consulting firm, Chris Nolan Associates, and a search committee consisting of two members of the library’s staff, Andrea Forsyth and Anne Mastroianni; four Board of Trustees members, Colleen Honan, Laura Goldstein, Ray Irrera, and Amy Dent; two members of the community, Bill Brimmer and Michelle Rosenthal; and the president of the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, Jim Maher.

He previously worked as the director of the Plainville Public Library, leaving in November 2017.

The library celebrated his hiring with a welcome party on February 25, where the community was invited to meet Mr Lord.

That month, the library also hosted an art exhibition, featuring work by Newtown residents Roberta Shea, Stephanie Adam, and Carol Gaulin-McKenzie. Each artist was able to greet members of the public who attended the afternoon event and discuss their different artworks on display.

The C.H. Booth Library’s Meeting Room housed not only art, but even a children’s soccer program.

Overseeing 15 energetic toddlers kicking soccer balls indoors may not be for the faint of heart, but Antonio “Coach Tony” Viscuso handled it with ease during his weekly Soccer Skills and Drills program in April.

That same month, children got to boogie to the groovy songs of “The Singing Principal” Al deCant at the free movement and music program Music for Little Super Stars. In July, they got to learn about instruments from around the word at music teacher Brad Peterson’s Multicultural Music class.

To kick off the C.H. Booth Library’s annual summer reading program, magician Scott Jameson entertained children ages 4 and up with an hour of magic, music, and juggling on June 27.

Whether or not all his tricks could be explained, there was no mystery that the show was enjoyed by all.

Children preparing to attend kindergarten in the fall were also entertained at the C.H. Booth Library when its special “Ready, Set, Kindergarten!” program came to the Story Time Room.

Former elementary school teacher Randi Rote taught children age-appropriate literary skills while helping them form friendships with the other children.

There were plenty of activities at the library catered for young adults, too, including making customized tie-dye pieces on the library’s front lawn in August; weekly chbMAKER’S Corner projects like sticker making; and an Animation Lab, where students learned stop motion filmmaking with Young Adult Librarian Abbey Lynch.

Both teens and adults had the opportunity to participate in instructor Katie Stevenson’s different crafting classes throughout the year, including the Make a Mosaic Flower Pot class on May 14 and the Holiday Needle Felting class on December 11.

Of course, the cherry on top for the C.H. Booth Library’s community programs was its Seniors Ice Cream Social on August 21, in honor of National Senior Citizens Day.

Dozens of seniors came out to enjoy the sweet treats from Ferris Acres Creamery, and they socialized with one another outside on the patio area, proving the library is a place for all to delight in.