Waterford – Chris Johnson, the town's new library director, knows she has a difficult task in replacing retired director Roslyn Rubinstein, whose tenure lasted 16 years.

But, Johnson says, replacing Rubinstein has its perks.

"I knew Roz personally already, and that was another thing that was appealing to me about the job because I know for sure things have been done right," Johnson said. "It's not like I'm going to have to come in and clean things up. It gave me the opportunity of moving forward rather than having to troubleshoot."

Before she left, Rubinstein prepared a transition plan and the budget for this coming year, which has allowed Johnson to turn her attention to big-picture thinking.

"One of my goals would be to do a diversity scan of the library's collection, both the physical collection and the digital offering, because you want to reflect your community, but then you also want to introduce your community to cultures and backgrounds that aren't their own," Johnson said.

She spoke to how a library selection with greater representation of works from people of color not only rights past wrongs, in terms of whose voices are traditionally amplified, but will also, ideally, bring people to consider different perspectives and possibly face their own implicit biases.

The Hofstra- and St. John's-educated Johnson is from Long Island but now lives in Norwich. She noted a serendipitous coincidence about her new job: The same architect who originally designed Waterford Library also designed Great Neck Library on Long Island, where Johnson spent much of her early career.

"I felt like I was coming home when I went to see the stone building with the narrow windows," she said.

Johnson's most recent professional experience was as the director of the Attleboro, Mass., public library – she started that job in 2018 and finished it on Friday. The drive from Norwich to Waterford is far more appealing than Norwich to Attleboro for Johnson. She was also previously the director of the Mystic & Noank Library.

Waterford Library won the public service award from the Connecticut Library Association this past year, which impressed Johnson. She said customer service is one of the most important functions of libraries, especially nowadays.

"You can get books and social media easily on your phone, you don't necessarily need the library to do that. So it really is the service and concierge aspects that the library can offer," she said.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused public libraries to change practices. Waterford moved to a pickup service by appointment, which is still available. Johnson praised Rubinstein and library staff for increasing accessibility and being responsive to the needs of the community.

"I hope to continue some of those efforts, and I'd like to do a little bit more marketing and publicity," Johnson said. "No matter how many good things you're doing, unless people know about them, you're not going to get those folks to pay attention. So that's one of my goals – continue to serve the people who are our supporters, but also reach out and try to bring more people into the library that have no idea what a library is like in 2021."

Johnson said that though it isn't her favorite part of the job, the political process of going to the various town bodies to secure funding for the library is necessary.

"Budget season is really a great opportunity. In Mystic in particular, since we weren't a municipal library, it was one of the few chances we had to speak to the folks in power and to let people know about all the great things happening at the library," she said. "The library is not free. There is a cost involved in providing good services, a material cost and a people cost. I think you have to be prepared to communicate that."

Rubinstein maintained a good rapport with town officials and often joked with them during meetings. Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule said Rubinstein leaves behind a legacy of innovation and of unparalleled commitment to the library.

"I have been lucky to know and work with Roz for her entire career in Waterford," Brule said. "I can honestly say there has never been a day where her work at the Waterford Public Library wasn't focused on elevating and enriching the lives of our great town. Waterford owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Roz."

In November, The Waterford Library Board presented Rubinstein with a glass book bearing the Waterford Library logo and an inscription in recognition of her stewardship.

"Thank you for your outstanding leadership as Director of Waterford Public Library March 1, 2004--November 13, 2020," the inscription reads. "With heartfelt appreciation from the Waterford Public Library Board of Trustees."

Board of Trustees President Aaron Rosenberg credited Rubinstein for solidifying the library's standing.

"Under Roslyn Rubinstein's directorship Waterford Public Library has earned the reputation as one of the finest libraries in our region," he said.

While Rosenberg called Rubinstein a "visionary," he said that "the search committee was not seeking another Roz."

"Rather, we sought an outstanding individual who would bring her or his own talents, abilities and experience to bring us into a new era," he said. We are confident that Chris Johnson is that person."

s.spinella@theday.com