New Washington Twp. Library Director Aims to Create Community 'Focal Point'

The Washington Township Library has a new director, and she's looking for input from residents about what they'd like offered.

Laura Rifkin started in the township about a month ago and has been holding "meet the director Mondays," which she has used to get feedback from patrons about the kinds of programs they'd like to see at the library.

"It's been great," Rifkin said. "Everybody's been very welcoming."

Even if it's not Monday, anybody should feel free to stop by to meet her, Rifkin said.

Rifkin has been working in libraries since she was in middle school, when she began volunteering at the Franklin Lakes library. As an adult, she has worked at libraries in Upper Saddle River, North Arlington, Closter and New York, where she was a manager at two city library branches.

Rifkin said she wanted to come back to Bergen County because she missed the direct relationship with the library patrons.

The library has already extended its hours and added Thursday night technology classes for adults since Rifkin started. She said she wants to add more adult and family programs, such as job or resume-writing help, book discussions for moms, music performances and Cupcake Wars-style competitions. 

Rifkin also said she wanted to work more closely with the schools and will be collaborating with the township's rec camp this summer.

"I'm looking for the library in general to be more of a focal point in the community," Rifkin said.

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