This year's town elections brought us not
only a new First Selectwoman but a new
addition to the Library Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors makes library policies
and oversees library operations.
Please welcome ... Joy Himmelfarb.
Tell us a little about yourself
In 2006, I retired after working 20 years in
Information Technology. I am currently a
student at the University of Connecticut.
Other activities include the Board of
Directors of the Farmington Valley Trails
Council since 2000, where I served as
Secretary for two terms.
I am an avid
cyclist, as well as a part-time kayaker,
lethargic hiker, and occasional snowshoer. I
am a member of and event leader in several
cycling and hiking clubs. I volunteer weekly
at the UConn Health Center and travel as the
academic calendar permits.
How long have you lived in Simsbury?
I have lived in Simsbury for 16 years.
Why did you want to be on the library
board?
As a student of literature, a constant
reader, and a former IT professional, the
library is the natural confluence of my
interests - books, information, and
technology. I think that maintaining the
high quality of our library is an essential
element in keeping Simsbury a desirable place
to live. I am very excited about seeing the
library renewal through to completion.
Our next member is newly re-elected but not
new to the board: Gail Ryan.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live with my husband Dave and 2 English
setters in West Simsbury. I am Associate
Director of the Katharine Brush Library at
the Loomis Chaffee
School. I am also Secretary of the Simsbury
Democratic Town Committee.
In my spare time I show my setters and train
them for field work. I am an AKC judge of
Hunt Tests, some of which take place right
down Route 10 at the Nod Brook Wildlife
Management Area.
How long have you lived in Simsbury?
We first moved to Simsbury in 1976. My
daughter was a page in the Childrens Room of
the old public library. Times were different
then; the
pages worked alone downstairs in the
Childrens Room in the evening.
Why did you want to be on the library
board?
I worked in Avon at the public library and
felt I had experience that
could be of use to the town. I also wanted to
give back something to the
town and the library, which actually was my
first place of employment in a
library.
I ran for this term because I have
been involved in the planning
of the expanded library and wanted to see the
project through to
completion. After it is completed we will be
working on a second long
range plan to help determine its use and future.
