AWARD-WINNING HEWITT PUBLIC LIBRARY RETIRING

After serving as director of the Hewitt Public Library for 14 years, Waynette Ditto is retiring after July 31. With a career as a librarian spanning 31 years, Waynette looks forward to being an active library patron and a member of the Friends of the Hewitt Public Library, the volunteer group that supports the Library’s efforts.

“I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition to a new library director,” says Ditto. “I look forward to devoting more time to my family, traveling and volunteering.”

Ditto worked as a school librarian for many years before feeling called to move into public service. A Hewitt citizen asked her to apply when the director position became available, and Ditto took it as a sign. Residents are glad she did.

“I am so impressed with her energy, congeniality and willingness to work with others,” said Ann Schiltz, Hewitt resident and president of the Friends of Hewitt Public Library.

It was not always easy though. When Ditto first began as director, the biggest challenge was to meet the community’s needs with three full-time staff and a small location on Zuni Drive. The top priorities were finding a meeting space for community programs where everyone felt welcome as well as increasing access to technology, per Ditto.

Recognizing the importance of these needs, the Hewitt City Council tasked Ditto with working with a library designer and technology consultant in constructing a new library building. The colorful, modern space celebrated its grand opening in 2016, a favorite memory of Ditto’s. The new location has a variety of meeting used for community programs, as well as technological equipment available for public use. Today, the library has grown to eight full-time staff members and eight who work parttime.

“Waynette embraced new opportunities to serve our community, adding computers and 3D printing, large format printing and new programs for families and children,” said Eric Ames, former president of the Hewitt Public Library Board of Directors. “She also led the Library through the unknown during the Covid pandemic and during a time of divisive political opinions, both of which she did with grace and skill.”

When asked what has helped most in her role as director, Ditto credits strong community support and utilizing partnerships as the key to the Library’s success. The Library has partnered with a wide variety of organizations on shared projects and goals including the Friends of the Hewitt Public Library, Greater Hewitt Chamber, Hewitt Kiwanis Club, Mayborn Museum, Texas Rangers Museum, Dr Pepper Museum, Cameron Park Zoo, Waco Mammoth National Monument, KXXV, McLennan Community College, Baylor University and numerous Waco area restaurants.

“The Greater Hewitt Chamber and Hewitt Public Library have positively impacted the community together in several ways over the years,” said Alissa Cady, executive director of the Greater Hewitt Chamber.

“Small business resources; leadership, economic and community program development opportunities; scholarship support; and increasing tourism dollars in Hewitt are just a few initiatives we’ve been able to successfully tackle together.”

The popular annual Dog Days event, a community event for dog-lovers featuring weenie dog races, a pet costume parade, pet rescue and adoption groups and local vendors, was a particular hit. A city council member mentioned missing the weenie dog races at the local fair, and library staff took time in researching and developing the Dog Days event to overcome obstacles other organizations had faced.

“It’s important for libraries to bring like-minded people together for a common cause,” said Ditto. “Dog Days attracted people from out-of-state and saw an attendance of over 5000. One year, our Dog Days event had the most dog adoptions in a single day in McLennan County.”

Other popular events have been Hero Day, an annual event open to the public celebrating and recognizing Central Texas first responders, as well as summer programming for children and teens including themes like coding, cooking, art, rocket launching, artificial intelligence and augmented reality. The Hewitt Public Library has also supported arts and music by hosting a concert series at Warren Park Creekside Amphitheatre, movies in the park with KXXV and by displaying paintings by local artists at the Library on a continual basis. Initatives, such as HPL’s Community Conversations program connecting community partners, caregivers and families of young adults with disabilities, have even received national recognition.

“Waynette has helped so many members of the community broaden their lives through learning. She has written and overseen numerous grant projects, and has participated in and presented at many conferences throughout Texas and the country,” said Schiltz.

“Under her leadership, the library has received thirteen state and three national awards for its diverse and outstanding programs and projects.

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Ditto’s involvement and leadership roles at the Texas Library Association, Texas Municipal Library Directors Association and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission helped gain the Hewitt Public Library statewide attention, while the Library has also received recognition or grants on a national stage through the Radiologic Technologist’s National Library Partnership program, the American Library Journal, National Health Library and NASA.

“A true leader in the library community, Waynette is an inspiration to fellow librarians as she has demonstrated the power of libraries in supporting their communities and showing how one energetic and talented person can enrich the lives and well-being of so many,” said Gloria Meraz, Director and State Librarian at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

At one conference, Ditto had a particularly memorable encounter. A few years before, a young, educated professional had come into the library very upset. Ditto learned that the woman was new to the area and in a domestic violence situation, but she knew it would be safe if she could find a library. Ditto was able to connect the woman to her family and stay with her until they could get to Hewitt to take her home. Ditto recognized the same woman as a speaker at a social worker conference she attended in Dallas.

The library serving as a safe space where all are welcome has been the driving ethos throughout Ditto’s career and especially at Hewitt Public Library, often called the “heart of the community.” When asked about her legacy, Ditto responded that her “prayer for the next chapter of the Hewitt Public Library is that it becomes even stronger and continues to be that heart of the community.”