Kristin McClune to leave NEML for ‘dream job’
Known for meeting children where ever they might be, departing Youth  Services Coordinator Kristin McClune shared a story with two young patrons in the NorthEast-Millerton Library Memorial Garden. 
Photo by Rhiannon Leo-Jameson

Kristin McClune to leave NEML for ‘dream job’

MILLERTON — Countless North East and Millerton children and adults will be saying thank you for the gift of reading as they bid good-bye to “Miss Kristin” of the NorthEast-Millerton Library (NEML), who will leave on Aug. 24 to take her “dream job” as a librarian at a nearby elementary school.

For just less than a decade, Kristin McClune, youth services coordinator, has introduced hundreds of young patrons from birth through adulthood to the pleasures of the written word. She’s done so with the numerous free programs at the NEML as well as by partnering with organizations such as the North East Community Center (NECC), the NECC Farmers Market, the 1858 Irondale Schoolhouse, the Webutuck Elementary School, The Wassaic Project and the Sharon Audubon Society.

McClune knows from personal experience just how important that early introduction to reading can be in a child’s development. She said she’s “incredibly grateful for the opportunity” she found as an adult to be able to contribute to the Millerton library.

Looking back, McClune said, “I had a very difficult time as an early elementary student. I  was legally deaf until I was 3. I had to repeat kindergarten and had a very, very rough time in first grade.”

Things did happily change for her, she said, “When I got into second and third grade. I had these two incredible teachers who got me talking and got me really excited about school. I went from reading below grade level and not really interacting with my peers to having a birthday party in second grade and loving to read and loving to go to the school library.”

McClune also appreciates the role public schools play in children’s lives.

“My heart has always been in giving back,” she said. “That experience for me was transformative.”

Since third grade, her ultimate goal has been to work as a librarian in a public elementary school. Toward that end and during her time at the NEML, in addition to her many community volunteer positions, McClune has been working diligently at the State University at Albany for a Masters of Science in Information Science with a concentration in School Librarianship, a degree she’ll complete in the spring of 2023.

But McClune is not willing to leave her NEML family behind. Even as she looks forward to moving on, she said, “I hope the library will consider me if they ever need volunteers or anything. They’ve been good to me. A few students I’ve known for a long time [as in, since they were 2] have asked if they can still talk to me about books sometimes.  I told them of course.”

Not surprisingly, McClune said, “I have so, so many feelings… This is a wonderful job and a wonderful community. I know that…  someone like me — who needed this opportunity to grow and learn — is going to take my place here.”

NEML Director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson also has mixed feelings about McClune’s impending departure.

“She will be missed,” said Leo-Jameson, “but we are just very excited and proud of her and so happy we were able to play a part in her journey.”

Lauding McClune’s many contributions, she added, “She was always thoroughly involved and truly cares about who comes in to the library and participates.”

In addition to continuing existing programs, McClune initiated others including the recently-developed Nature Scouts at Rudd Park, Dungeon and Dragons, Trunk or Treat at Halloween and Story Hours.

Leo-Jameson noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, McClune’s help was instrumental. With her assistance, the library was “able to quickly pivot to bring all the children’s programs online,” said Leo-Jameson.

To celebrate McClune’s many contributions, her last day at the NEML on Wednesday, Aug. 24, will officially be designated “Kristin Day,” with patrons being encouraged to come to say goodbye at the library at 75 Main St. Community members are invited to pop by whenever they’d like and also to enjoy refreshments at 4 p.m.

Leo-Jameson recognizes McClune will leave big shoes to fill and that the process of finding someone may take some time, but noted they’re already looking for a replacement.

“We are very fortunate to have some retired teachers who volunteer at the library, some who are on our board, and they are going to help us fill in on her programs,” noted an appreciative Leo-Jameson.

For more information, call 518-789-3340 or stop by in person.

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