By Emma D. Kersting, Summer Intern

At the New Fairfield Public Library, there is a consistent flow of events for all ages. From storytime to breadmaking, the library offers free programming for anyone in the community to participate in. It’s easy to find the offeri ngs and register for the programs at Newfairfieldlibrary.org/programs.

Jennifer Amabile is a mother of two who has brought her children to the New Fairfield Public Library for years. Amabile’s youngest child is a rising sixth-grader participating in the Summer Reading program.

“It motivates her to read; she’s always [at the library] picking out books,” Amabile said. “Having the raffle and the potential for a prize with it… she really enjoys it.”

Amabile’s daughter does not participate in many programs other than Summer Reading, but she does believe that a library is a staple of a community and that New Fairfield’s library has grown more in its programming.

“I’ve always thought that libraries were like the center of a community, and that having more programs and engaging the public makes it more accessible for people,” Amabile said. “It seems like the staff is adding more programs, making [the library] more child-friendly and teen-friendly… like they’re making an effort to have programs for that middle age, like fifth-to-eighth grade.”

Adriana Duffy is the current Program Director at the New Fairfield Public Library after taking over last March. Duffy’s responsibilities include running and executing programs, creating a calendar, hiring external venders/performers, and collaborating with Jenna Dubin, Children’s Librarian, and Will Anderson, Adult Librarian.

“My main goal is always to fill a need in the community… I wa nt to provide things that people are interested in or skills that people need, or just things that people will find fun,” Duffy said. “A lot of times I’m looking for things that maybe you can access other places but… we can offer it for free to the community.”

Duffy said that she has mostly been creating new programs rather than repeating ones from prior years. She said that while the library will return to old vendors or performers that have been popular in the past, one of the only programs that has run consistently over several years has been storytime in the Children’s Library.

Duffy said that the programs at the library are an opportunity for growth in the community.

“It’s great to see people coming back for more,” Duffy said. “For example, a family who’s new to the neighborhood will come to a storytime, then they’re coming every single week and meeting friends at the storytime, they’re making plans afterward, they’re coming at the same time every day to meet up with those friends.”

Library programs offer people of all ages to gain new skills and find new passions. Duffy said that when adults attend programs like beginner cooking classes, they will often come back to future programs and update her on their progress in that skill. One of Duffy’s favorite interactions with participants was after she r an a sewing basics class for kids recentl y.

“I had two teenage boys come, and we didn’t get to finish our projects, so I sent them home with the materials and told them that if they finished it, I would love to see [the projects],” Duffy said. “They came sprinting in the next day with their finished projects to show me because they were so excited that they completed them.”

Duffy said that being the Program Director at the library is “really cool” as she has the opportunity to work with the community in a creative way through programming. She said that her job is a great way to interact with the Town of New Fairfield.

“I love to talk to the community, if they have ideas or things that they want to see or if they are just looking for a space to do their [Dungeons and Dragons] group,” Duffy said. “We’re always trying to work with the community to give them what they want and what they need to see from us.”

Duffy encourages people to share their ideas with the library, come to programs and make the space their own. “It’s really exciting to see [the library] become a community space and people discover all the things that they can do through us,” Duffy said. “I wish more people knew about it!” There are programs for every age on the calendar—simply find the options on the library’s website, register, and join in on the fun.