Events, Music, More Keep Brookfield Library An Up-To-Date Page Turner

BROOKFIELD, Conn. -- Even if you've lived in Brookfield for years, you may not know your local librarian. Which is why we went to Library Director Anita Barney for answers on everything from upcoming events (say hello to adult coloring) to popular DVDs (think the Oscars).

Anita Barney during a visit from Farmer Minor and Daisy.
Photo Credit: *Submitted*

Jeanne Muchnick

02/22/2016 5:00 a.m.

Daily Voice: What would people be surprised to know about the Brookfield Library?

Anita Barney: We're not your grandmother's library! We offer free streaming music, movies, TV and audiobooks with hoopla, ebooks and downloadable audiobooks with OverDrive, and 49 digital magazines through Zinio.

Patrons can check out passes for free or discounted admission to museums and area attractions. You can learn any of 40 different languages online with Mango Languages. We offer jazz and classical concerts, free movies and programs for kids, teens, and adults, and four different book clubs, as well as a shared MineCraft server for teens. We also feature lots of computer classes, including a Build Your Own Website series coming up. You can even check out a cartridge for a Cricut machine!

Daily Voice: Who comes up with your events calendar and what's new for this year?

Anita Barney: The calendar comes from our Adult, Teen, and Children's departments. Each department comes up with its own programs. New this year? Coloring programs for adults and teens, maker space programs for kids and teens, cupcake war last night for teens.

Daily Voice: How long have you been at the library? And what do you love best about working there?

Anita Barney: I've been here since April of 2003, and I don't think I've ever had two days the same. The job changes constantly as new technologies emerge and we add new services. The most fun, I think, is our float in the annual Memorial Day parade, when we get a chance to make fools of ourselves in public.

Daily Voice: Any new "hot" titles that are popular now?

Anita Barney: Diet books are always popular, as are books on tidying up (although most of them really should be considered fiction). Most popular DVDs are the ones nominated for the Oscars.

Daily Voice: Anything else to say I didn't ask?

Anita Barney: Come get a library card if you don't have one! And sign up for our free monthly email newsletter at www.brookfieldllibrary.org/.

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