Stratford Library Staff Members Honored At State Conference

STRATFORD, CT — Two Stratford Library staff members were recently honored at the Connecticut Library Association Annual Conference at the Mystic Marriott Hotel in Groton.

This year’s awards recipients included Stratford Library representatives Tess Beck and Charles Lautier.

Tess Beck, who retired from the library last month after 24 years of service, received the Faith Hektoen Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is given by the CLA Children's Section in recognition of career achievement in the field of children's services, an outstanding program or project that has made a significant impact on library service for children in Connecticut.

“In her work with children in Stratford, Beck has been a driving force in the development of several innovative programs,” according to a news release. “Her artistic talents, calm but firm demeanor, gift as a ‘baby whisperer’ and steady voice of reason for so many parents and caregivers are the reasons Beck was cited for the special award.”

Longtime Stratford Library Volunteer Charles Lautier was recognized with the Edith B. Nettleton Award given to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding record of volunteer service to their library.

“For the last 13 years, Lautier has worked quietly behind the scenes to create, line up speakers for and help promote and host the Stratford Library's Sunday Afternoon Talks series,” the news release states. “SATs feature a variety of speakers on a broad range of topics--everything from the impact of early voting to astronomy, history, music, travel, architecture and more. The monthly program has developed a solid following--even during the pandemic when programs moved online.”