New Cushman Library director settling in

LORI NOVIS

LORI NOVIS

Cushman Library at 28 Church St. in Bernardston.

Cushman Library at 28 Church St. in Bernardston. STAFF FILE PHOTO/DOMENIC POLI

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

For the Recorder

Published: 08-21-2024 3:37 PM

Modified: 08-23-2024 8:59 AM

BERNARDSTON — For Easthampton resident Lori Novis, Cushman Library’s new director, libraries offer an essential space for community gathering and connection.

“I love [Cushman Library]. It is such an integral part of the community,” Novis said. “It’s a little treasure, it truly is. A beacon, I would say.”

Novis took over as director in late July, replacing former Director Karen Stinchfield. Previously, Novis worked as the librarian at Franklin County Technical School and an on-call reference librarian for the city of Springfield, a role she continues to fill on an as-needed basis.

Before that, Novis spent several years living in Puerto Rico, where she worked as a grant writer for a community library, as well as doing work with a “smattering of other wonderful nonprofit initiatives,” she explained.

Novis originally became interested in librarianship while she was a graduate student. Though she was studying to become a school guidance counselor, she found the work might not be the right fit for her interests and skills. Through an ad in her local newspaper, she learned about an educational media specialist position and she went to her library to find out more.

There, she was introduced to the field of library sciences. Novis switched to a graduate program in library sciences and has loved working in libraries ever since.

“It satisfied that need for public service,” Novis explained. “I’ve always, always gravitated toward helping professions.”

Additionally, she said, librarianship suits her because of her creative and inquisitive nature.

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“It fit all these pieces beautifully,” Novis said. “I just feel like libraries themselves are our best public institutions. They’re a great equalizer.”

Novis has a variety of plans for Cushman Library going forward, including updating the website to make it more user-friendly and connecting the library with state-sponsored databases to connect patrons with more free research resources.

More than anything, though, Novis said her priority is “listening to the community and what their needs are.”

Cushman Library plans to host a meet and greet with Novis in early September. The exact date has not been set yet.