Baldwin Library Director Retiring

Joyce Chiappetta, the director of the Baldwin Borough Public Library since January 2008, will kick off her retirement in mid-September with a trip to Rome and southern Italy.

Chiappetta announced to borough residents this month through a library newsletter that she is leaving the library that she has worked at for the past 16 years, first as a part-time program coordinator and later as the children's librarian while she continued to plan adult programs.

After Italy, the director has no special plans other than to spend more time with her five (soon-to-be six) grandchildren.

"Enjoying life," she said, pointing to a couple of ways in which she'll stay involved with the library. "I definitely will be maintaining a connection to Baldwin Library through my participation in the Mystery Lovers Book Club and by joining the newly forming Friends of the Library group."

Among the accomplishments at the Baldwin Borough Public Library that Chiappetta is most happy with, she said:

• the creation of a separate room for families to share books, computers and literacy-based activities;
• the creation of a unique travel program that has taken library patrons to visit the Ohio Amish, the Alaskan glaciers and the Highlands of Scotland;
• the establishment of the Summer Drama Club that has continued to grow each year and has offered young teens an opportunity to experience all that goes into staging a play; and
• organizing a very talented staff to use their creativity to provide patrons with the programming and information they want.