Jerry Cohen, chairman of the Rumford Public Library board of trustees, stands Feb. 21 with new Rumford Public Library Director Abby Austin of Hartford, center, and new Children’s Librarian Sarah Cotnoir of Fayette. Austin worked part-time for at the circulation desk for five years. Cotnoir was interim interim director of the Turner Public Library for about two years. Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times

RUMFORD — Rumford Public Library Director Abby Austin of Hartford and Children’s Librarian Sarah Cotnoir of Fayette said they are excited to begin their new roles, implementing their ideas and using their skills to improve patrons’ experiences.

Austin previously worked at the circulation desk; Cotnoir comes from the Turner Public Library, where she served as interim director for about two years.

“When we interviewed both these young ladies for these positions, there was no doubt in our minds that we have two gems, two women who are uniquely qualified to do the jobs we’re asking them to do,” Jerry Cohen, chairman of the board of trustees, said in announcing the hires Feb. 21.

“It’s an honor to be in this position,” Austin said. “I love this community and I really love this library. I love the team I’m working with.”

As director, she said she wants to see more programming opportunities to engage the community. “Things like reading groups. We can do classes on tech help.”

She said they have an author visit for March 11 with Pat O’Donnell, and a poet who will be coming for poetry month in April.

Cotnoir said she plans to combine her skills and past experiences with children to make a difference in their lives.

“I’m very excited to hit the ground running. I have lots of ideas,” she said.

“I used to be a preschool teacher, I love kids, she said. “I really wanted to take all of the skills, programs, my ideas and things I am passionate about doing and have the opportunity to do them full-time, and to really make a career out of it. And this job provided the small library feel I love so much and being able to grow close to the community and the patrons and get to know them, and to do all the things I love to do.”

“It was a perfect match between my skills, my passions and my goals,” Cotnoir said.

Cotnoir said she’s excited to offer programs to enrich the lives of children, get them excited about learning, and foster a love of reading. “Reading just opens up a whole world to them, and I want them to experience that and be lifelong learners and not just have to learn for the sake of learning, but to learn because you love to learn.”

The staff also includes Curriculum Librarian Mary Ann Fournier and library assistant Serena Theriault and her son, CJ Cole.

Cohen said Cole is taking some courses and he’s brilliant with information technology. “He has almost all the credentials. He just finished a course online. Eventually, he will be the IT guy,” she said.

The library also benefits from the support of the Friends of River Valley, which sponsors all of the children’s programs.

The Friends of Rumford Library will host a reception for Austin and Cotnoir in the near future.

The library is at 56 Rumford Ave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.