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Date: 10/9/2019
RUSSELL – The Russell Public Library hosted a reception Oct. 5 for Gail Duso, who retired after 28 years as library director. Prior to becoming director, Duso, who has lived in Russell all her life, worked as assistant for 15-years to head librarian Louise Mason.
“We were so lucky to have her for so long to direct the library,” said trustee Gloria Farrell. “She did a fantastic job of keeping the library up to date and kept us in good standing with the Massachusetts Library Commission. We’re going to miss her,” she added.
New trustee, Tom Ray, said Duso was the first person he met when he moved to Russell from Ware five years ago. “She is part of the reason I wanted to be a trustee,” he said. Ray also now serves as an assessor for the town.
“This Board of Trustees has done an amazing job of advocating for the library, keeping it stocked, and responding to people’s requests,” said Derrick Mason, Louise Mason’s son. “I’m glad to see this kind of support for the library.”
Since retiring, Duso said she is focusing on raising her new 10-month-old Boston terrier puppy, Teller. She is also showing the ropes to new Library Director, Jodie Paradis, and new Children’s Librarian, Carol Fidrych-Duda. “You have to learn the basics,” Duso said.
For Paradis and Fidrych-Duda, it’s their first time working in a library, and they love it. They both said they are trying to expand on children’s programming.
“Like most places, we have a hard time getting young people in the library,” said Paradis, who is working on her library certification. She said they have recently invested in Lego blocks to draw children in, who are read to while they play. They also offer arts and crafts.
Paradis, who also serves as town clerk for Russell, said she is talking to patrons about what they’d like to see in the library. “The future of the library is in the electronic age; and how to marry those two,” she said.
The library is equipped with Wi-Fi and computer stations, where students can come in to do their homework and get help. Fidrych-Duda, a former teacher, reads to younger grades on Monday nights and records in their reading logs. The library also holds a themed story hour on the third Saturday of the month. The next one is scheduled for Oct. 19.
Fidrych-Duda said she is also starting as a volunteer at the Gateway Regional Library to get to know the students.
Paradis said recent purchases at the library have been on technology, coding, books on cooking, and graphic novels for young people. They are also looking to invest in books for kindle readers, and are asking patrons what they’d like to see. “The interlibrary loan program has been incredibly active,” she said.
During the reception, Duso was given the gift of a crystal clock, with a plaque that read: “Thank you for your 29 years of dedicated service to the Russell Public Library.”
“I like the people,” Duso said. “You miss people. You keep in touch.”