Staff

The New Haven Community Library Director is Ruth Shattuck Bernstein. 

Ruth began at NHCL in Febraury of 2024.

Letter to the community when she begain:

"I am so excited to join this community and library! I grew up in Lincoln and Bristol, spent seventeen years in Shoreham, and currently live in Cornwall. For the last seven years I have been the director of Salisbury Library and have so enjoyed growing and expanding that library into a vibrant community center.

Books, libraries, and small town Vermont are some of my very favorite things. From walking to the Lincoln Library every Wednesday evening with my father as a small child (who had a strict one-book-checked-out-at-a-time rule that I still enjoy breaking!) to discovering exciting things tucked in the corners–Steven King!--there as I got older. From ten years of working at Deerleap Books in Bristol to long nights studying at my college library (St. Mikes). From moving to a new town and immediately seeking out the library community to sharing my childhood favorites and enjoying library activities with my three children (currently 16, 10, and 5). I listen to most of my books these days; usually older works, descriptive nonfiction, or autobiographical novels. With any extra time; I like to enjoy nature, family and friends, traveling, music, crafting, and writing. 

Just as I enjoy ‘classic’ books as well as newer literature; I too value continuing what libraries have traditionally provided, as well as embracing new and innovative ways we can serve our communities. My goal is always to make the library truly a place for everyone in the community. I see libraries as centers for connections, resources, learning, and fun and really look forward to getting to know New Haven!"