CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie Library and Arkell Museum now has two directors. Leah LaFera is the director of the library and Diane Forsberg is director of the museum.

The Canajoharie Library and Arkell Museum trustees decided on this co-directorship to lead the institution. Chuck Tallent, board president, affirmed that “We are fortunate to have on staff, two extremely well qualified museum and library professionals to assume a co-directorship. We look forward to the synergy Diane and Leah will bring to this institution.”

Both directors are well acquainted with Canajoharie and this unique institution that combines a dynamic community library with an art museum that exhibits an internationally known collection of American art.

Forsberg has been deputy director and chief curator since 2005, and LaFera became the head of Library Services just before the new building opened in 2007.

LaFera holds a BS in Visual Arts and a Masters in Information Science and has previously worked with children, teens and adults at both public and school libraries. Her passion for the arts and literature has allowed LaFera to offer new, dynamic programming and services to library users. Since starting at the library five years ago she has introduced a wealth of adult and family programming including: parent-child book discussions, writing workshops, children’s and teen summer reading programs, and just this past year, new downloadable eBooks.

“I am working hard to make sure our library keeps up with current reading and technology trends” said LaFera. “The library has so many free digital resources such as ebooks/eaudiobooks, online periodicals, and directories. We also hope to start offering adult computer classes later this year.”

Forsberg holds a MA in art history, and prior to coming to Canajoharie, was the chief curator of the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut. She had previously been the executive director of the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center in Vermont, and the Amherst History Museum at the Strong House in Massachusetts. Forsberg has overseen the development and installation of 22 exhibitions at the Arkell Museum. She is currently planning an exciting exhibition for 2013 that will feature the miniature Beech-Nut circus, circus ads and circus themed paintings by notable American artists.

Forsberg stated, “Partnerships with regional museums and community organizations will continue to play an important role in the future of the Arkell Museum and I look forward to working with our current partners while developing new partners to expand our audience and programs.”

The 2012 partnership with the Fenimore Art Museum resulted in two concurrent American Impressionist exhibitions — one at the Arkell Museum and the other at the Fenimore. The paintings in the Fenimore exhibition will return as part of a new exhibition that opens at the Arkell Museum on October 27, 2012.

Fundraising will be a major focus for the new directors. Unlike most New York State Libraries that rely on local tax money for most of its annual funding, the Canajoharie Library receives only $700 a year in municipal funding. The new directors have already added a “donate button” to their websites to make it easier to contribute to the library and museum.

Forsberg and LaFera look forward to working together on projects that combine the resources of the library and museum for programs for families, children and adults. Forsberg noted, “We can do so much more when we pool our resources, and a library and a museum are a natural match. Libraries and Museums have traditionally been seen as places where people check out books or look at paintings — but they are both so much more. They are gathering places for meetings, performances, films and community discussions.”