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Cleo Griffin: Newton's retired
librarian can't quit working with what she loves
STILL AT IT:
Cleo Griffin, at her desk in the library, has served
as Newton Library's director for 10 years. Although
she has retired, she will continue to work for the library
in other areas. / Photo by Rachel Christensen
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By Rachel
Christensen
November 16, 2008 | NEWTON -- Although Cleo Griffin
retired from her position as director of the Newton
Library Nov. 6, the avid reader still plans to
work for the library and remain close to her readers.
Griffin has served as Newton's library director
for ten years. Having grown up close to a library,
Griffin was instilled with a love for literature
at a young age.
"When I get uptight, a mystery is the best thing
in the world to unwind with," Griffin said.
She reads at least three books a week, which
allows her to make recommendations to library
visitors. Griffin reads books from all genres
and age categories so she can provide helpful
information to library visitors.
Griffin is 80 years old and has lived in Newton
for 62 years. She is retiring so she can take
care of her husband who was diagnosed with cancer.
Griffin said she feels confident that the new
director, Sara Rigby, will be able to handle the
library and do the job well. Rigby was officially
given the position Nov. 6 during Town Council.
"Sara's certified, she's young and energetic.
It's time for some new blood," Griffin said.
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BOOKS, BOOKS: Griffin
dedicated a lot of time as director to researching
and filing paperwork for grants used by Newton
Library. These bookcases found in the library's
children's section were installed Oct. 31 and
will make it easier for youth to find the books
they are looking for. / Photo by Rachel Christensen
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Griffin has done the paperwork for
several grants the library has received. New bookcases
were delivered to the library Oct. 31, and the grant
money used to purchase the shelves was a result of Griffin's
work.
"The new bookcases are in the children's section,"
Griffin said. "It will make it easier for the kids to
find the books they want."
Griffin will continue to work towards gaining grant
money for the library. Even though she will no longer
be head of the library, she said she expects to spend
a lot of time there and has a lot of work left to do
for the special collections section. Griffin loves geneology
and history and is particularly fascinated with the
history of Newton.
"This building used to be a schoolhouse," Griffin
said of Newton Town Hall which houses the library, courtroom,
offices, and the fire department among other things.
"The mayor sold it for $7."
Newton Library is the only library on the west side
of the valley, Griffin said. Before Newton library was
created, Griffin said those who wanted to use a library
had to go to Logan where it used to cost $150 to get
a book card for visitors. Newton Library is able to
sell book cards to visitors from other towns for only
$5. Griffin hopes that this low cost as well as a more
convenient location makes it easier for Cache Valley
residents to read.
Although Griffin has retired, she is dedicated to
finishing her work in special collections and will spend
much of her time at the librarian as an assistant.
"I love to see children read," Griffin said. "Nothing
tickles me more than a kid bringing up a book to the
counter."
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