ALBION, N.Y. -- It's only been open for two years, but some Albion residents are unhappy with the new Hoag Library. Some said it is loud inside and isn't focusing on all age groups.
"They wanted to take it in a different direction from where it had been at the old Swan Library. They brought in a new director but it just didnt turn out to be a good fit," said interim director Betty Sue Miller.
Miller, who has only been in that position for two weeks, said that will all change.
"I ran a high school library and because I am local, I know the people in the community," Miller said. "There are a lot of people in the community who gave huge amounts of money to get this property built. We decided we needed to reestablish trust with those people.
That begins at the front door. Miller has instructed staff to greet residents as they walk through and make them feel comfortable.
"It's the first place I have ever felt comfortable in," said Carol Monagan, Albion resident.
Patrons will see more even changes during the next six months, as Miller said bookshelves will be moved, and the children's room is scheduled to be reorganized.
"If we try to show a young person how to find it and they are not successful, they are going to give up," said Miller.
Perhaps most importantly, there will be meetings for people of all ages. On the first Tuesday of every month, librarygoers can attend Tea with Dee and patrons can also rent a secret book with a hidden message just in time for Valentine's Day. This Tuesday. they held a pizza party for teens.
"Our responsibility is to make sure everybody that comes in here is comfortable. We don't want any one group to intimidate or drive out any other," asid Miller.
"They have a lot of things here. They hold a lot of meetings. They have a lot of things for kids, adults, for the town," said Herbert Winters, Albion resident.
Miller said as changes continue to happen at the library, she hopes more people will join them as they work to bring the library back to the vision the community once had.
"I think we are pleased with where we are moving," said Miller.