Andie D’Avignon, library director at the Springtown Public Library, is the opposite of the traditional librarian often portrayed as quiet and reserved. D’Avignon’s outgoing personality helps create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and patrons who come into the library.
“Stereotypically, you think libraries should be quiet. They’re not. They should not be quiet,” D’Avignon said as she described her perspective on the purpose of a public library. “I’m all for quiet time, don’t get me wrong. But they should be a sign of the community and enjoyment.”
D’Avignon explained that while the library has long been a community resource for books, it is also a place for residents to gather. From kids’ story time and Lego club to adult arts and crafts events and the use of public computers to apply for jobs, D’Avignon and her library clerks actively engage with patrons, fostering a cheerful and helpful atmosphere rather than the silence of an empty library.
