WILLIAMSBURG — For the last six weeks there has been a new face in the director’s office at Meekins Library. On July 1, Beverly Bullock took her place at the helm of the library, replacing former director Katie Kroll, who retired at the end of June after five years at Meekins.
“So far it has been amazing,” Bullock said. “I am so happy to work in town, get to know more people here and to be able to give back to the community where I live.”
Bullock moved from South Carolina to Haydenville in 2014. She was most recently a reference librarian at the Greenfield Public Library.
“When this job came up it was great because I live right here, and this is what I went to school for, to be a public library librarian,” she said.
Bullock is a graduate of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina. Before that, she had a career as a social worker.
“This is actually my second career. I went back to school at 50 to do this,” she said.
Bullock said she feels her experience in social work, and working in a variety of libraries, helps her bring a unique perspective to the position.
From her first library job at a South Carolina prison library, where she had her own personal guard, to the large research and archival library at the University of South Carolina, she says she has honed her skills at serving others.
“Working at the prison library is where it became clear to me that I had a gift to find information for people who needed help,” she said.
Having multiple skills to rely on likely helped Bullock navigate her first few weeks on her new job, which included difficulties with fire safety equipment, library technology, and staff scheduling, all of which came up at the same time.
She referred to this jokingly as a “baptism by fire.”
Kroll was also instrumental in laying the groundwork for her to take over, Bullock said.
“I am very grateful that Katie was here to train me because it doesn’t always happen that the outgoing person is there to do that,” Bullock said.
She also said that she has been taken with the way in which Williamsburg residents and other library patrons support the library.
“The staff has made sure to introduce me to every person that I don’t know and the people here are very welcoming and show incredible support for the library,” she said. “You can tell they really love it.”
Seniors in the hilltowns are on the move and enjoying activities such as hiking, traveling, dancing, working out, dining out and more, thanks to the many services provided by local councils on aging.
Here are just a few samples of activities currently on offer for elders in the area.
“Yoga for You”: Taught by Michelle Wolk, the class is geared toward active adults and takes place Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Williamsburg Senior Center.
“Modern / Creative Dance Class” is offered by Susan Waltner on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the Williamsburg Senior Center.
“Create flexibility, strength and balance,” a Feldenkrais class offered by Michelle Morales-Wolk at 7 p.m. Mondays at the Chesterfield Community Center.
Hikes in the Westhampton /Easthampton area organized by Chuck Horn and Ray Fontaine. To get on their list, email charleshorn@gmail.com.
Muscle strengthening classes led by Joan Griswold Mondays at 10 a.m. at Plainfield Town Hall and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Goshen Town Hall.
T’ai Chi Mondays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.,at the Chesterfield Community Center, and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at the Williamsburg Senior Center.
Zumba led by Melissa Tee. Mondays at 6 p.m. at the Williamsburg Senior Center.
PLAINFIELD — The Shaw Memorial Library has an exhibit of sheet music this month, some dating back to the early 1900s. The music is a collection of Plainfield resident Karen Fournier.
The library will hold its annual book sale Sunday, Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as an Arts-Feast featuring local arts and crafts on display.