Making The New Britain Public Library A ‘Library of Human Connection’
Director Sjöberg Shares Plans To Build Infrastructure For Reading In New Britain
by John McNamara
Walk into the New Britain Public Library (NBPL) on High Street these days and you will notice physical changes to the main floor. The circulation and reference desks have been merged into one. The main floor’s makeover will include five study rooms and a reconfiguring of space intended to improve access to collections and library services.
For Library Director Viktor Sjöberg and his staff, the changes are more than cosmetic. They are part of a strategic plan to “decentralize” the library, freeing staff to assist visitors and to “learn more about community aspirations”.
The “one desk” service model is part of a broader and ambitious plan for community engagement. Sjöberg, who was appointed in early 2024 succeeding longtime Director Pat Rutkowski, envisions a “library of human connection” where “we can bring people together in a space and have people listen to and learn from each other.”
Sjöberg, a native of Gothenburg, Sweden, emphasizes the importance of the public library making connections with groups, schools. partner organizations and individuals in new ways. His idea of a “library of human connection” springs from a 15-year career at libraries in California in both rural and urban settings and serving as District Director in North Idaho, where he worked before accepting the appointment in New Britain. Sjöberg earned a bachelor’s degree in literature at the University of Gothenburg and a Master of Library and Information Science at the Swedish School of Library and Information Science.
One year into the job in New Britain, he has been impressed by the willingness of individuals and organizations to collaborate in the delivery of services and engage in activities that can make NBPL not only a repository of books and media but a library of “human connection.”
“This year also saw the start to the process of the library turning outward and learning about our community in a more intentional way,” Sjöberg wrote in the most recent annual report. “Asking crucial questions about who the library has failed to connect with in a meaningful way will help guide our work of creating greater relevance, significance and impact in our community.”
An example of connecting occurred at a March 6th “One New Britain Community Dinner”, the first of three planned this year, “to break bread and talk about what we want for our community.” Eight organizations, including Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut,, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, EMS, SEET Consultants, the YWCA, CCARC, the Hospital of Central Connecticut and New Britain Museum of American Art joined the library in organizing the dinner.
A strategic goal for the library is to “work with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), the Chamber of Commerce, Public Schools and religious, civic and community partners to develop programs connecting all of us.” The dinners and other collaborative events will be part of bringing people together and fostering dialogue on the social and economic challenges that New Britain faces.
NEW BRITAIN READS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
The Friends of the New Britain Public Library will be recognized for their 50 years of volunteer efforts and dedication to the library and community.
Crystal Ballroom of New Britain (211 Farmington Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053)
Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 5:30PM – 7:30PM.
Keynote Speaker Emely Rumble, Author of Bibliotherapy In The Bronx
Leisure reading behavior is a key predictor of educational success, and the elimination of “book deserts”, has been cited as a way to address the structural inequalities that compromise children’s reading development. The Library is currently building infrastructure to combat these issues, but we need your help to make it blossom.https://www.newbritainlibrary.org/library-news/join-us-building-movement-readers-across-new-britain
The outreach agenda involves “building infrastructure for reading in New Britain” that will extend beyond the walls of the High Street main branch and the Jefferson School Library. Through the generosity of the late Olga Margaret Plocharczyk, a literacy volunteer and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) retiree, the library is introducing a “modern day bookmobile” that Sjöberg says “will expand the library’s ability to meet our community members where they are……including the provision of programs across the city, delivery of library materials, and being a presence at community events.” Sjoberg also says librarians want to promote existing and new “little free libraries” throughout the city that are volunteer-driven book exchanges where users donate and borrow books informally.
To improve reading attainment levels and encourage children “to explore the world of reading on their own terms, without adults telling them what to read,” New Britain Schools and the Library teamed up last October to resume visits to the library for all children in the third grade.
Consistent with Sjöberg’s “library of human connection” vision, the NBPL’s Board of Trustees is holding its 9th annual fundraiser on March 20th focusing on the “healing components of reading.”
Author, psychotherapist, and New Britain High School alumna Emely Rumble will keynote the event at the Crystal Ballroom. Rumble is the author of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx. Her work “is rooted in the philosophy of bibliotherapy, where literature, poetry, and expressive writing become powerful tools in supporting individuals on their journey to well-being.”
As Sjöberg and his staff establish new partnerships, outreach activities and host more community conversations, they are building on greater use of the library in 2024-2025: 24% more visits to the main library (151,000); a 17% jump in the number of cardholders; 6% increase in use of books and physical materials and a 16% increase in use of electronic materials.
In 2024 the New Britain Library increased its total circulation of digital and analog materials to 221,148 and signed up or renewed nearly 4,000 residents with library cards.. It operates on a current budget of $3.3 million funded by a city appropriation, grants and contributions.
John McNamara is an Alderman from Ward 4 and the Common Council Majority Leader.
Photo credits: David Braithwaite.
