Generations of Meekins Library patrons know Children’s Librarian and Assistant Director Rochelle. For more than four decades, she has welcomed you to the library, and been many things: the steady hand that finds the perfect book for you or your child; the face of the Meekins in the Dunphy School classrooms; the library’s favorite storyteller; the inspiration behind so many fun and festive programs; an accomplished poet; a generous colleague; a caring community member. And now, after 40 years of dedicated service, Rochelle is retiring in June.
Rochelle has been an integral part of the Meekins Library story for nearly half a century. For this special Women’s History Month Throwback Thursday, Rochelle reflects on her years at Meekins: “I remember well, moving from the Midwest to Williamsburg in the mid 1970s, and the day I walked up the stone steps of the Meekins Library to see what the intriguing stone building looked like inside. I signed up for a library card, which was kept at the librarian’s desk, and borrowed a book. My introduction to the library was a warm and friendly greeting from Eleanor Hebert, who was then the librarian and all things Meekins.
“I began to volunteer with childrens’ programming in the 1980s, putting on puppet shows from children’s books and started working part time in 1986 after Lisa Wenner became the director. This was back when we were part of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS), whose lending library was a bookmobile that serviced many small Western Massachusetts libraries with insufficient book budgets. We were able to enhance our collection nicely with revolving loans of books, videos and audio books. Our card catalog was the original wooden one that is still on display downstairs by the historic Town Weights and Measures cabinet.
“Those were the days before the renovation and expansion of the library (2003), when the circulation desk was under the rotunda dome, where the children’s easy reader books are now. Lisa was innovative in so many arenas, creating the tradition of revolving art shows from local artists, working with the school, and doing oh so many programs. When artist Amanda and writer Roland Merullo moved nearby, we exhibited Amanda’s photos from their stay in the USSR. Other wonderful local artist’s work graced the walls of what is now the Black Reading Room—including Neil Hammer, photographer, Fran Kidder, Katy Schneider, Dave Gloman, and Bill Rohan, painters, to name a few.
“We created circuses on the front lawn, planted dinosaur eggs for kids to discover, had many story times, and watched 16 mm films in the Children’s Room. We held literary costume parties, hosted dances, concerts, poetry readings, author book discussion events, and potluck dinners!
“The years just slipped by. It is hard to believe that Bev Bullock has been the director now for 7 years! I have witnessed the biggest changes in the library’s history, contributed to 40 years of building up the collection, as well as putting those books back into their places on the shelves. I have served as a technical service librarian, on our very first computer, jumped onto the wagon countless times when Lisa had a great idea of what we could be doing next, accessioned books, shoveled snow, climbed the 10-foot ladder more times than I probably should have to hang paintings for exhibitions, and hauled thousands of books for book sales. I’ve bounced babies on my knee during story time, and watched those children grow up, leave town, and some of them, come back years later, bringing babies of their own into the Meekins family. And, I remember so many wonderful people who were patrons and good deed doers, who helped tremendously with the renovation and expansion and are no longer with us.
“Now in my 75th year, I’m realizing time differently. I have an armoire chock full of fabric that is calling me to sew into new forms, gardens needing attention and a couple of sheep who I know would like to see me more frequently. It has been quite a journey for me here. My children grew up in Williamsburg; wonderful friendships have been cultivated. Although I live out of town, Williamsburg remains like home in my heart.”
Even as she wraps up her library adventures, Rochelle is as busy as ever, working her book-finding magic for patrons, and sharing her decades of library knowledge with the rest of us! Her legacy will continue. Join the Meekins on Saturday, June 20, 2026, as we remember with awe, all Rochelle has given to the library, school and community over these years, celebrate her many many contributions, and wish our “Super Librarian” well. Look for details of the “super sendoff” as June approaches. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist; #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 3/26/26
