After nearly a decade as librarian at Fletcher Memorial Library, Deb Andstrom retires at the end of June. The library plans to mark the occasion with an all-day Open House, Saturday June 29th, her last day at work. “My husband recently retired,” Andstrom says, “and we look forward to traveling, spending time with family, and enjoying more time at our condo in Cape Cod.”
Andstrom came to library work fairly late in life, after a career in banking and teaching, but she is a long-time book lover. For several years before coming to Fletcher Memorial, she first volunteered, then worked, at Aldrich Free Library in Plainfield, learning much about running a small library. In addition to time at Plainfield, she also worked at the Canterbury Public Library for a couple of years. “I filled in for the director and staff when needed,” she said. “It was helpful that both Aldrich and Canterbury utilized the same library operating system as Fletcher, so I felt comfortable right away.”
She brought that knowledge, plus much experience dealing with young children, to Hampton. Soon after her arrival, she began Baby Story Time, a weekly program for very young children that proved popular with the library’s youngest patrons and their mothers, too. It was followed a few years later by a Story and Craft program for older children. Andstrom also instituted a book club for adults and organized the now annual Dr. Seuss’s Birthday celebration and the Easter Egg Hunt. In addition, she helped out with other library programs and fundraisers, as well as participating in Quiet Corner Reads and representing the library in area library associations.
For the last decade, Deb, as she is universally known, has been the welcoming, cheerful, and efficient face of the library, never too busy for a word and always quick with a smile. She knows everyone and usually recommends just the right book. Deb Andstrom will be very much missed but she is not entirely breaking her ties to the library. She intends to continue Baby Story Time as a volunteer and also to help with the upkeep of the butterfly garden. “I’ve loved my time working here,” she said. “I’ve developed many friendships among our valued volunteers and patrons, and I intend to keep in touch.”
The Open House will run all during library hours, 9AM to 3PM with the reception and refreshments from noon to 2PM.
Janice Trecker