Ogden Farmers' Library welcomes new director

Kay (Catherine) Hughes-Dennett pauses at a book stack for a photo. Kay has been the new library director at the Ogden Farmers' Library since May 21. She comes to this position after serving the public at the Greece Library for 18 years; the last five as a branch manager. When asked about her new job she said, "The staff is wonderful and it's really neat to know a whole new community!"

Ogden Farmers' Library welcomes new director

"Ogden is a nice community," said Katherine (Kay) Hughes-Dennett. "It has a lot of similarities to where I grew up and I love that atmosphere." Hughes-Dennett is the new director of the Ogden Farmers' Library. She began May 21, succeeding Patti Uttaro who accepted a position at the Central Library.

Hughes-Dennett, a native of Palmyra, earned an associate's degree in chemical technology at Alfred State and a bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport. After 10 years with Kodak, she accepted one of the company's first buy-out offers and became a stay-at-home mother to sons Patrick and Steven.

In 1981, Hughes-Dennett began working as a page in the Greece library system. She worked her way through the ranks and returned to school to earn a master of library science degree from the University of Buffalo. "I always was a big library user," she said, "so this was a good second career choice." In 2002, she became branch manager of Barnard Crossing Branch of the Greece Public Library, a position she held for five years.

Hughes-Dennett noted that she is settling into her new responsibilities in Ogden. "The staff is absolutely wonderful," she said. 'We've got a very warm and friendly library." She added that the members of the library board, volunteers and the town officials have been most supportive. "The community has been extremely warm and welcoming," she said.

One of her biggest challenges is learning names and patrons' expectations. "It's hard to balance people and paperwork," Hughes-Dennett said, "and I would rather deal with people than paper. One of the nice things about being a librarian is I talk to all sorts of different people and get to know what they like." Hughes-Dennett enjoys working with all age groups but has a special affinity for senior citizens. "It is great to see the senior population out and about. I enjoy helping them and finding out what's going on in their lives," she said.

In addition to her people skills, she believes she brings other assets to her new position. "I have been in the system for a long time," she said. "I know how libraries work and I think that is very helpful. I had wonderful training in Greece and a great model of administration."

Hughes-Dennett's goals for the Ogden Farmers' Library include providing the programming and services that will encourage people of all ages to visit the library. "I can't imagine a library without books," she said, "but it's hard to imagine a library without technology now, too. Providing a balance of materials and technology that works for the community is critical."

She is also excited by the Spencerport Depot and Canal Museum, the only branch of the Ogden Farmers' Library. "A lot of the services are for people who are coming down the canal in their boats," she said. "The canal system is being promoted from one end to the other, which is great." Hughes-Dennett believes that the canal revitalization offers tremendous opportunities for canal towns. "Small town life is fast disappearing," she said. "Spencerport has moved up with the times but has stayed small town feeling."

When she is not working, Hughes-Dennett takes classes in bird carving. She and her husband, Charles, enjoy traveling to visit family, and spending time with their two dogs and two cats. "I'm really an animal person," she said.

"I have been very, very fortunate," Hughes-Dennett said. "I loved my last job and I have found another job that I am crazy about, too. How many people can say that? I don't suppose too many."