Barbara Cangiano &
The Blackstone Library Reference Department
Barbara Cangiano is the Reference Department Supervisor at the James Blackstone Memorial Library. She received her BS from Quinnipiac University and her MS in Library Service from Columbia University in 1989. She worked in the Columbia University Library system for seven years before coming to Blackstone Library. She was hired to fill in for a librarian on leave; this temporary position has lasted seventeen years. Barbara received The New York Times Librarian of the Year Award in 2004. Barbara is noted for being approachable, compassionate and dedicated to excellent customer service. She enjoys hiking and dancing when she gets time away from the library. In describing the library's busy Reference Department, Barbara quoted this comment from a former high school classmate when he heard that she had begun work as a reference librarian in a public library, "Now that we have the internet, we won't need libraries or librarians anymore." It makes her smile today when she thinks about that ominous prediction. Public libraries and librarians have never been more relevant or necessary. Everyone is impressed when they walk into this majestic and historic building equipped with the latest technology - Wi-Fi, E-books, high speed internet access, latest movies on DVD, a roaring fire in the fireplace. However, the real jewels are the library staff that is welcoming and helpful and attentive to their customer's needs seven days a week. People may want the latest gadget, but they also want a place to go where everybody knows their name.
Debby Trofatter has worked in the reference department for fifteen years. She does a yeoman's job in handling the library's website and many other technical issues that come her way, as well as keeping close tabs on all things historical as they relate to Branford. This includes family histories, genealogy and Branford historical papers and documents. After spending a magical year in Florence, Italy, as a sophomore in high school, Debby decided that she would major in Italian language and literature, eventually earning a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Middlebury College and the University of Florence. Her intent was to become a language teacher, but when no jobs were to be found in that field, she returned to Florence and worked for Macy's. Upon her return to the States, she worked for Macy's in New York and Ralph Lauren women's wear before spending ten years as a stay-at-home mom. Her love of books and learning led her to the decision to return to school, earning a Master's degree in Library Science from Simmons College in 1996. Following graduation she began her career at the Blackstone Library. Debby has two grown children, Matthew and Kate.
Katy Dillman is the newest full-time addition to the reference department. As a home schooled child, Katy spent many hours at the library. She loved the stories and ideas that she found as she browsed the library shelves. She also got a kick out of sharing those stories and ideas with others. She realized that she could actually have that be her job someday, and when the opportunity to go back to school came up, decided to go for it. Katy received her Master of Library Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2011. She worked in marketing for years, completed many projects and enjoyed it, but began working at the Guilford Free Library while finishing her degree. She loves working full-time at the Blackstone, working with great people and doing what she loves. Katy has a 5-year old daughter, Lila, so her free-time is very limited. When she can though, she enjoys dancing, rollerblading, museums and travel as well as trying new restaurants.
The reference department is completed by their show-stopping part-time staff. These people work very limited hours, but are essential to having the department run smoothly and effectively. They are Celia Allison and Shauna Carrano who both have completed their MLS degrees and Sarah Eiseman and Whitney Gayle who are both currently in library school working toward their Masters.
What strikes a chord with many people in Branford is that the library educates every one, not just school age children, but the very young through the very old. The reference staff takes their job very seriously and quietly goes about their business never asking for accolades or recognition. They strive to answer every question and do so with excellent customer service. With the advent of new technology they are always being stretched to learn the latest gadget and teach it to others, only to have that gadget get reinvented when a new version arrives! They are very pleased the Branford Education Hall of Fame recognizes how important they are to the Branford community and are very pleased to be acknowledged by the organization
Debby Trofatter has worked in the reference department for fifteen years. She does a yeoman's job in handling the library's website and many other technical issues that come her way, as well as keeping close tabs on all things historical as they relate to Branford. This includes family histories, genealogy and Branford historical papers and documents. After spending a magical year in Florence, Italy, as a sophomore in high school, Debby decided that she would major in Italian language and literature, eventually earning a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Middlebury College and the University of Florence. Her intent was to become a language teacher, but when no jobs were to be found in that field, she returned to Florence and worked for Macy's. Upon her return to the States, she worked for Macy's in New York and Ralph Lauren women's wear before spending ten years as a stay-at-home mom. Her love of books and learning led her to the decision to return to school, earning a Master's degree in Library Science from Simmons College in 1996. Following graduation she began her career at the Blackstone Library. Debby has two grown children, Matthew and Kate.
Katy Dillman is the newest full-time addition to the reference department. As a home schooled child, Katy spent many hours at the library. She loved the stories and ideas that she found as she browsed the library shelves. She also got a kick out of sharing those stories and ideas with others. She realized that she could actually have that be her job someday, and when the opportunity to go back to school came up, decided to go for it. Katy received her Master of Library Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2011. She worked in marketing for years, completed many projects and enjoyed it, but began working at the Guilford Free Library while finishing her degree. She loves working full-time at the Blackstone, working with great people and doing what she loves. Katy has a 5-year old daughter, Lila, so her free-time is very limited. When she can though, she enjoys dancing, rollerblading, museums and travel as well as trying new restaurants.
The reference department is completed by their show-stopping part-time staff. These people work very limited hours, but are essential to having the department run smoothly and effectively. They are Celia Allison and Shauna Carrano who both have completed their MLS degrees and Sarah Eiseman and Whitney Gayle who are both currently in library school working toward their Masters.
What strikes a chord with many people in Branford is that the library educates every one, not just school age children, but the very young through the very old. The reference staff takes their job very seriously and quietly goes about their business never asking for accolades or recognition. They strive to answer every question and do so with excellent customer service. With the advent of new technology they are always being stretched to learn the latest gadget and teach it to others, only to have that gadget get reinvented when a new version arrives! They are very pleased the Branford Education Hall of Fame recognizes how important they are to the Branford community and are very pleased to be acknowledged by the organization