Q&A with Retiring Larchmont Library Director Diane Courtney

The Larchmont Public Library Board of Trustees invites the public to an open house on June 7, 2011, at 6 p.m. to celebrate the work of longtime Director Diane Courtney. She will be retiring at the end of July after 16 years. June Hesler will serve as interim director.

To Courtney, a library is not just about books. It is a center community hub where people keep up with their neighbors.

“People know neighbors’ kids and delight in their successes,” she said. “Larchmont has a small-town feel even though it is a very sophisticated community. It is a wonderful thing to have; it is charming. I will miss the people here.”

Courtney began her career 39 years ago, making her way “to do just about every job one can do as a librarian.”

Within her current role, she has been responsible for 36 building-related projects, creating a long-range, building-maintenance program and has participated in the planning and fundraising for the $3.2 million renovation of the Children’s Room and building infrastructure.

Patch sat down with Courtney to discuss her library beginnings, her accomplishments and her legacy.

How did you start your career as a librarian?

I was a young thing when I started out. Times were tight and jobs were scarce. I had worked in Wall Street in banking and then got a job as a student in a library. I was blown away by the caliber of the people.

I told myself that I could do this for a few years until I could go back to school and get my Ph.D. When I went back to school, it was about 25 years later and it was for a Master's of Public Administration so that I could be a better librarian.

One of my first jobs was doing outreach in the housing projects in Yonkers. I would hold story hours and present films. We got a lot of people who had not been library users before to come in and use the library. It was great. I was actually in downtown Yonkers maybe 20 years later, and a woman pushing a stroller walked up to me as said, “Remember me? Remember me? You’re the library lady!” And I was thinking, “Oh, do I look the same 20 years later?”

What is your legacy at the Larchmont Public Library?

I think we have a very strong library. Our policies are very sound. Our staff is dedicated to public service. I hope I have made the library a stronger place that is more central to the community.

We have done lots of building projects. It is a pretty, attractive building but more importantly, it is structurally sound. We called the project the Children’s Room renovation but, in fact, we addressed the entire infrastructure of the building: the electrical, the windows, the insulation. We brought [the building] into the 21st century to make it energy-efficient.

Having a wonderful board to work with means that we can make sure the library is well-positioned for the future. We have been fiscally prudent. We have used taxpayer money very sparingly, and I am very proud of that. The board would not have it any other way.

What was the Larchmont Public Library like in 1995?

When I came, the staff was using typewriters. We got computers for the public, for the staff and Internet service. Also when I came, staff asked if we could get CD-ROM databases because they didn’t know that we were headed for online databases.

How has the Internet changed the face of libraries?

Now there is no such thing as a small library anymore. Staff in this library used to have to refer people to larger libraries. [Today,] if our invisible resources were visible, we would need to add an eight-story building to this building.

What words of advice would you give to the next person in this position?

Enjoy the wonderful community and do well by it.