Lewisboro Library Director Cindy Rubino retires

Cindy Rubino has retired as Lewisboro Library director after more than two decades. NOËL SPECKENBACH PHOTO

By NEAL RENTZ

A library plays a significant role in the life of the community and those that are part of it.

The Lewisboro Library has been a major part of Cindy Rubino’s life, and now, after 22½ years, she is stepping down as its director. 

“You can tell a lot about a community’s values by the role the library plays,” Rubino told The Recorder in a recent interview. “The library serves everyone no matter their economic circumstances or social standing. Our library truly serves as a community center to bring people of all ages together in a town that lacks a town center.”

Rubino stepped down at the end of March. Before taking the institution’s top job, she served on its board of trustees for a brief period. But, she said, libraries were a passion long before. 

“I have worked in the library field since I was a teenager in various types of libraries,” she said. 

Rubiono was the head research librarian for Reader’s Digest, worked for a documentary filmmaker, and for a management consulting firm. 

“I have always enjoyed helping people find the information they need whether for work purposes or education or entertainment,” she said. “A librarian is always learning the process of helping others.” 

Rubino received much satisfaction from her job.

“The mission of the Lewisboro Library is to serve as the heart of the community,” she said. “It was very rewarding to serve all segments of the Lewisboro community, from the babies to our senior citizens. I enjoyed getting to know so many of our community members.” 

Rubino, who has lived in Vista for more than three decades, said the services and programs offered at the library have changed over the course of her career. Digital content, such as e-books, streaming video and music, language learning and online tutoring, has increased.  

“However, we have continued to supply print books as demand is still strong,” Rubino said. “We have increased programming to include educational opportunities for our patrons such as citizenship preparedness during emergencies, first aid, beginning mahjong, gardening, and technology topics such as digital privacy.” 

Rubino noted the library has increased its partnerships with organizations including the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Lewisboro Garden Club and the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The library’s annual nonprofits fair brings together local organizations and potential volunteers. Also, the library offers such nontraditional services as Wi-Fi hotspots and museum passes to more than 20 museums in the region. 

The job is not without challenges.

“Fundraising was a constant challenge,” she said, noting that the library only receives about 70% of its funding from the town. Fundraising efforts have included the annual Library Fair, direct mail appeals and special events such as concerts and raffles. 

And there were rewards as well.

“I am very proud of helping to raise the funds for, and overseeing, the 2015 renovations of the library building into the modern era,” she said. “We were able to continue serving the community by setting up a temporary library in the South Salem Presbyterian Church for a year while the library was closed during the year of construction.”

“During the COVID shutdown we provided digital content that our library patrons could access from home,” Rubino said. “There were many people at that time for whom e-books and e-audio were a new concept and we were able to educate them on how to use them.” 

“I would like to be remembered as a library director that cared passionately about serving the Lewisboro community,” Rubino said. 

Greg Sages is serving as interim library director on a part-time basis while the search is on for a new permanent director. Rubino has some advice for her successor. 

“Get to know the community, and listen to their input and dreams for the library,” she said.

Rubino, meanwhile, has her own plans.

“I look forward to traveling more and spending more time with my family, particularly my baby granddaughter.”