Library Director Settles into New Role

Melinda Greenblatt is reminded of her former home every time she arrives for work.

"I love the building," she said of the . "I did live in a Tudor house in Long Island for a while, so coming to this building every morning is a real joy."

But the Manhattan resident said she was attracted to much more than the exterior of the library when she signed on as its new director a month ago.

"I think that Briarcliff Manor is a community that really cares deeply about reading, about literature, about libraries," she said. "Seeing the collection that has been built up over the years and seeing so many of my favorite books here is wonderful."

Greenblatt, 59, has worked as a librarian for more than 30 years. She started her career as a school librarian in Manhattan and has since worked with various organizations in New York.

Most recently, Greenblatt worked with Library Connections, a project of the New York Archdiocese that helps inner-city schools improve its libraries.

"When I went to library school, I intended to be a children's librarian," she revealed.

While that has never directly been the case, Greenblatt has worked with schools and children throughout her career, and is looking forward to continue doing so with the children's program in Briarcliff Manor.

"I still have a love of children's literature," she said. "I'm really excited now about being the library director at Briarcliff Manor Public Library because I will have the opportunity to work with children and adults; and also with community organizations."

While settling into her new role, Greenblatt said she has been "finding my way around Westchester," and getting to know the community.

"I had the opportunity to experience and it was great to see the number of community organizations that are coming together for the good of the community," she said. "I'm also very impressed here with our Friends group and the library board of trustees."

These groups, Greenblatt said, are looking to transform the library into more of a community center that emphasizes arts, music and culture.

"I'm anxious to work with them on that possibility," she said.

Going hand-in-hand with this goal is the completion of the building (and former train station)'s renovations. In 2006, former director Geraldine Mahoney helped pass a $4 million referendum for the library.

For now, Greenblatt said work is set to begin on the building's doors and windows.

Another ongoing conversation for all libraries has been the abundance of technology available today and how it fits into the tradtional library's role.

"I still think that people need the assistance and intervention of reference librarians in order to negotiate the information that's available on the internet," asserted Greenblatt.

While the Briarcliff Manor Public Library already offers internet, WiFi and database access to its patrons, Greenblatt said talks with the Westchester Library System have been ongoing about the possibility of adding e-reader loans in the future.

"I think we also have to look at all the applications that are being created for phones," she said, adding the library is already synced with Bookmyne, an app that notifies patrons when books are due. "I want to help people learn about what is available through technology."

In the meantime, Greenblatt has enjoyed sitting in on the library's book clubs and is looking forward to meeting Rover, the literary dog who comes into read with children once a week during the fall.

"I'm really looking forward to working with many different segments of the community," she said.

Click here to visit the library's website and learn more about its fall programs.