NORWAY – Norway Memorial Library’s new children’s librarian, Anna Gordon, said when she was looking for a new job she wanted it to be in a small town with cold weather.

“I love to ski,” said the 23-year-old New Jersey native and recent graduate of the State University of New York, where she earned a master’s degree in library and information science.

Gordon was hired recently by library Director Ann Siekman to replace Anne Campbell who left Aug. 12. Gordon has already begun her duties at the library, beginning with the weekly story time hours on Wednesday morning and Baby Boosters on Friday mornings.

“She brings enthusiasm, professionalism and knowledge of libraries that’s fresh,” Siekman said.

Gordon said she comes from a family of librarians, including her mother who has been in private, public and law library positions. “I grew up in libraries. It’s a really bad family trait,” she said laughing.

 Gordon said that along with developing and running the preschool programs, her focus will be on improving programming for children in grades one through six.

 “I want to find things that interest them,” she said of the need to entice youngsters to come to the library.

There is already a host of activities planned for that age group, including a library card party on Sept. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. to sign up for a library card. There will be an art challenge, story and craft times, and other programming such as an activity involving myths.

The young people’s area is also being reviewed for a redesign to make it more inviting for the older youngsters, she said.

Gordon is living in Norway and gets to walk to work each day. She lived in Wisconsin where winters are also long.

When asked if she had been warned about Norway’s practice of plowing snow into the middle of Main Street, she laughed. “They do the same thing in Wisconsin,” she said.

ldixon@sunjournal.com