The Katonah Library Dedicates plaque in honor of Eleanor Hendrickson

With the explosion of information available on the internet these days, some may believe the community library can be easily replaced by more convenient megabytes or media players. Those people certainly cannot be found at the Katonah Library. "It really is the heart and soul of a community, and it is a place where everyone is welcome," said Inge Brown, president of the Katonah Library Art Gallery. And without dedicated librarians to stack the shelves, a library would function no better than a computer without a keyboard. That's why the Katonah Library will be dedicating a plaque in honor of the late Eleanor Hendrickson. Its director for almost 30 years, she not only had a lasting impact on the library, but on the village of Katonah.

The library originally opened in 1880 in Old Katonah and was twice moved to its current location on Bedford Road in 1930. Hendrickson joined the library in 1946 and remained until her retirement in 1974. She stayed in touch in retirement and was nearby no matter her level of involvement.

She lived in the house across the street for 52 years until her death in 2004 at the age of 94. “Eleanor was an incredibly warm and charming woman who made the library a very pleasant place to be,” said Brown.

At the same time, she remained in the forefront whenever it became necessary for the library walls to move with the needs of the community. The staple was part of the effort to build the gallery and expand the library, which involved a huge fundraising effort, according to her daughter, Janet Darlington.

Within the walls, though, Hendrickson consistently demonstrated what it took to make a difference for a community searching for information. "It's terribly important to have a librarian who's approachable and willing to use every resource to assist every patron, said Darlington. "My mother was certainly willing to do that."

But her service didn't end at the beginning of 26 Bedford Road. Prior to the building of 684, Bedford Road served as the main gateway to this part of Westchester, and didn't exclude a consistent procession of 18 wheelers. "Everything shook when those trucks went rolling through," said Brown, "and disrupted the entire way of life."

The situation kicked around the community for about 20 years, but it was the librarian who finally made the difference. "No one was really willing to fight for it. But my mother went to Albany several times and finally it was a petition with about 1000 names that got the bypass built." Darlington said. "Katonah has been so much more pleasant ever since."

Getting historic designation for the village of Katonah had an effect on the outcome also, but her influence continues closer to home too. "All of my mother's three daughters are readers, and we all became teachers" said Darlington. "The legacy trickles down to the grandchildren who are now read to a great deal by their parents."

Betty Beardsley knows the feeling too as the library's former director in semi retirement. "I owe her a lot, because I came to work here without knowing anything about being a librarian," she said.

In turn, three years before Ms. Hendrickson retired, she convinced the trustees to let Beardsley replace her. "Eleanor was a great inspiration," said Beardsley, and took over the position while completing school.

And today, Beardsley remembers Hendrickson as an icon who was not just great with books but great with people.

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