Library Director Steps Down

Danbury Public Library Director Mark Hasskarl will resign his position Dec. 31 after about five years on the job, and the city will seek to replace him with a search in 2012.

"He did a fine job," said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, who said the replacement search will start in 2012.

Among his other accomplishments, Hasskarl worked on the program "One Book, One City," in cooperation with Western Connecticut State University. He had begun working on the city's plan to take over the Union Savings Bank branch next door to the library, an event that will occur in 2012 when the bank completes its new branch at the corner of Main and Boughton streets.

Between now and when a new director is named, Assistant Director Michele Capozzella will serve as interim director.

"Everything happened very quickly," said Capozzella, who lives in Danbury, and was working Tuesday. She said she's been talking to Boughton and Finance Director David St. Hilaire about the job. "There are a lot of things to think about. There will be a lot of things that are new to me."

Hasskarl could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

In addition to integrating the former bank branch into the library, Capozzella will work on creating a new budget for the next fiscal year. Capozzella has worked in Danbury for three years as the assistant director. Before that, she worked in New York at Chappaqua Library as the head of teen services, a job she held for 13 years until taking the job in Danbury.

"I was ready for more challenges," Capozzella said. She's lived in Danbury for eight years, and she grew up in Rutherford, NJ, where she worked at her hometown library. "You're always concerned about moving your library forward. How can we better serve the community?"

Capozzella said her favorite book is "To Kill A Mockingbird," and she said she enjoys reading a range of books in different genres.