Library Director Landauer stepping down June 2
April 17, 2021 | By Lisa ScagliottiWaterbury Public Library Director Almy Landauer made an unexpected announcement this week, telling the community via the library newsletter that she will be stepping down June 2.
Citing a thyroid disorder diagnosed last year, Landauer said it’s in the best interest of her health to step away from her position.
Waterbury Public Library Director Almy Landauer. Courtesy photo
Landauer joined the library in mid-2018 after longtime director Mary Kasamatsu retired. A year and a half later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, closing the library for an initial period of several months. When it reopened last summer, it did so with curbside service initially followed by a period with patrons allowed to browse and visit inside for short periods at a limited capacity.
Landauer led the staff to retool customer service and rethink how to engage the community remotely offering familiar programs via online platforms. With a resurgence of the virus in the fall, the library returned to all-curbside operations.
Landauer also has coordinated the Waterbury CARES effort (short for COVID-19 alliance, resource exchange and support) for the past year which has coordinated volunteers with needs in the community due to the pandemic. Details on that effort are on the library website.
The library director is a position hired by the Waterbury Library Commission with staff participating in the selection process. Co-chairs Shannon DeSantis Giles and Christine Wulff said a posting advertising the position will be placed soon on various library online job forums as well as the town website.
Inquiries and applications may be sent to Christine Wulff c/o Waterbury Public Library 28 North Main St. Waterbury, VT 05676.
Below is the text of Landauer’s letter to the community.
Dear Patrons,
I am writing with some unhappy news to share with you. For the last 10-11 months I have been dealing with a health issue. I have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder and arrived at the difficult decision several weeks ago that
I need a break from the work world to lower my stress levels and recover my health.
I informed the Library Commissioners several weeks ago, and worked with them to plan the next steps.
My last day at the Library will be June 2.
I would like to thank the Commissioners, our Town Manager Bill Shepeluk, and the library staff for their compassion and support upon receiving this news.
The Commissioners are poised to launch a search for a new director. There will be a transition time for a few months, but the staff is a strong team and will continue to provide the best services they can. I ask for your patience and understanding during the transition.
I’ve grown so fond of Waterbury and its wonderful people, and I am proud of the work we have done on your behalf since I began here in August of 2018. We have expanded the role of the Library in the community, partnered with many of Waterbury’s awesome organizations, added staff capacity, increased both the digital and physical resources that we offer, created fabulous programs, and many other accomplishments; not the least of which was pivoting (word of the year!) our services during Covid.
I want to express my deep gratitude and admiration to the staff, our volunteers,
the Library Commissioners, and the Friends of the Waterbury Public Library for their dedication to and support of this most marvelous and democratic of institutions.
And to our wonderful patrons, may you all ride out the rest of the pandemic without difficulty! It’s been a true pleasure to serve you.
Almy Landauer, M.Ed.
Library Director