Francestown welcomes new Library Director Beth Crooker

Francestown’s George H. Bixby Memorial Library hosted a reception for new Director Beth Crooker on Friday evening. 

Francestown’s George H. Bixby Memorial Library hosted a reception for new Director Beth Crooker on Friday evening.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Members of the Francestown community at a reception welcoming new Library Director Beth Crooker.

Members of the Francestown community at a reception welcoming new Library Director Beth Crooker. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Francestown residents flocked to the Bixby Library Friday night to welcome new director Beth Crooker.

Francestown residents flocked to the Bixby Library Friday night to welcome new director Beth Crooker. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Francestown’s George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library. 

Francestown’s George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Bixby Library in Francestown hosted a community reception welcoming Beth Crooker as its new director. 

Bixby Library in Francestown hosted a community reception welcoming Beth Crooker as its new director.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

The Francestown community turned out in force to welcome new Library Director Beth Crooker. 

The Francestown community turned out in force to welcome new Library Director Beth Crooker.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Francestown residents gather to welcome new Library Director Beth Crooker on Friday evening. 

Francestown residents gather to welcome new Library Director Beth Crooker on Friday evening.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Beth Crooker, who was recently welcomed as the new director of the Francestown George H. Bixby Memorial Library, at Temple’s Mansfield Public Library, where she also serves as director.

Beth Crooker, who was recently welcomed as the new director of the Francestown George H. Bixby Memorial Library, at Temple’s Mansfield Public Library, where she also serves as director. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI

By JESSECA TIMMONS

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 04-30-2024 8:32 AM

Modified: 04-30-2024 11:17 AM

Francestown’s George H. Bixby Memorial Library was overflowing with community members eager to welcome Beth Crooker, the new director of the library, at a reception Friday evening. 

“We are so fortunate we found such a great candidate who is such a perfect fit for our town,” said John Ludlum, chair of the Trustees of the George Holmes Bixby Library. “We think she is going to be wonderful.” 

Crooker, a Temple resident, is the longtime librarian of the Mansfield Public Library in Temple. She will stay on at Temple while assuming duties in Francestown.

“That’s kind of the way it is with our small-town libraries,” Crooker said. “We all kind of cobble together a full schedule from more than one library.” 

Crooker is excited to build community connections and get to know people in Francestown.

“That’s my first goal – meet people, and start having events to get people into the library,” Crooker said.

Marsha Dixon, who recently joined the library trustees, said she was impressed with Crooker’s philosophy.

“She said she wants to put a book in everyone’s hands,” Dixon said. “I just love that. The library should be the town’s living room. It should be the friendliest place in town.” 

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Crooker says she came to library work later in life, after a career in children’s publishing, and has worked at Mansfield Library since 2016. A Wilton native, she was always a lover of libraries. 

“Growing up in Wilton, how could you not love the library? Wilton really has the most-beautiful library,” Crooker said. “I love that library work has so many different facets to to it, and I’ve just fallen in love with it. I love story time. I love programming. I love cataloging. Mostly, I enjoy getting books into people’s hands.”

Crooker said her plans for Bixby Library include finding out what the community’s interests are and figuring out how to get people into the library.

“I’m definitely planning family activities, and we’re going to kick off summer reading, have events for kids,” Crooker said. “Everyone has been so incredibly kind and welcoming in Francestown, and I’m just so happy to be  here.”