As past members of the board of trustees of the Cundy’s Harbor Library, we would like to express our sadness over the passing of one of the library’s former librarians and directors, Samuel Schwartz. Under Sam’s leadership, our beloved library went through several fundamental changes — bringing its resources more up to date and making them more readily usable, caring for the physical plant, and improving the collections, all for the benefit of our neighbors, patrons and visitors.
With Sam’s impressive technological background, the library’s financial systems, book inventories and archives were revamped, and its first public-access online catalog was put into place. He always was the patient teacher to many of us in the community on that challenging ride into the world of computers. He delighted in solving problems.
Sam’s enthusiasm for the library engendered a feeling of home for our community members. He enjoyed welcoming, chatting, strategizing and joking with everyone who entered the library. He had a commanding intellect with an elfish twist and a superb sense of humor.
We recall Sam’s creation of a library band that led the Harbor Days parade with Sam playing saxophone, and his square dance fundraiser in our Community Hall, and his children’s treasure hunts. Let’s not forget Sam’s culinary talents in the form of his library event staples of “librarian’s chili” and “King Arthur brownies,” which were featured in the library’s 2009 cookbook, “Taste of the Harbor.” He was a man of many talents, ever eager to share them.
Sam was a dear friend to us and a committed, caring, active member of our town and neighborhood. Sam and his wife, Denise, worked tirelessly to build the library community that we have today. We are thankful for their contributions. Our sincere condolences to Denise and Sylvie, their lovely, musical daughter. We share their loss and miss him.
Carol Duron Taylor & Dianne Chilmonczyk, Cundy’s Harbor
