May 27—NORWICH — During his 18-year tenure as executive director, Robert Farwell has guided Otis Library from worn out, dingy quarters into a bright new 21st-century building, brought home a national gold medal of excellence and navigated the facility through an unprecedented global pandemic.

Farwell, 71, will retire June 30 after 20 years at Otis. He reflected that more than the $10.5 million building transformation, completed in 2007, and the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service presented at the White House, the growth of Otis as an invaluable community resource has been his top accomplishment.

"What's been most important is we have established Otis as an essential community resource," Farwell said, crediting his staff of 22 employees for the achievement. "I'm really pleased we won the national medal. That kind of exposure reflects well on the entire community and is emblematic of the kind of support every library should have in the community."

Library staff and community leaders praised Farwell's leadership in making Otis Library a strong partner in efforts ranging from economic development, job training, immigrant services, youth activities and community events. They said the library became an essential resource during the pandemic.

"He not only kept the library open during COVID, he kind of turned it into a community center," said Fawn Walker, a member of the Friends of Otis Library and the group's liaison to the library board of directors. "We're lucky to have Otis. It's a tremendous asset to the community. The current staff is just terrific."

Shiela Hayes, past president of the Norwich NAACP and long-time advocate for youth and education, credited Farwell for bringing the library through the difficult period of construction and for embracing Norwich's growing diversity. Norwich is home to immigrants from all over the world, including refugees.

"I believe he has embraced equity and inclusion," Hayes said. "That has helped the community with all that the library has done."

Farwell has a few plans after he turns over the keys on June 30.

"I have three young grandchildren to spoil," he said.

He and his wife, Sandra Farwell, who works in the student services department at Three Rivers Community College, plan to take a trip to Europe this fall.

"When we get back, I will look into something part time," Farwell said. "I think I still have contributions to make in the field, work in an environment where I'm really making a difference in people's lives. Working in immigration communities, working with children in an educational program. It has to be something I really feel is making the world a better place."

Farwell likely will be back in libraries before long, this time as a patron. He has an interest in researching the history of eugenics in Connecticut. There are collections he has not had time to review and looks forward to diving into a five-volume 1938 eugenics plan for the state on file at Yale Law School.

"It's been referred to in things I've read, but I've not seen a real analysis of the contents," Farwell said. "It's a long-term project. I want to write something on it. There's all sorts of documents to look into."

Farwell became executive director as the library was planning the task of closing, moving temporarily across the street in the former Sears building and reconstructing its footprint at 261 Main St. into a new facility. The new library opened in 2007 and underwent another renovation in 2014 to upgrade its technology.

Otis formed partnerships with outside entities, including Literacy Volunteers, and has hosted citizenship classes, English language classes and income tax filing assistance programs. Local artists display work in the community room or in the display cases in the main entrance.

The basement has become the home of the Friends of Otis Library's popular book sales in April and October that provide supplemental funding for the library.

Nancy Stuart, administrative volunteer for Literacy Volunteers, said its programs would not have resumed after the COVID-19 shutdown without Farwell's help. Literacy Volunteers has an office on the library's second floor and runs two group sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with adult clients as well.

"When we started back after COVID, Bob was very instrumental getting the word out that we were back, and with the protocols to make people feel comfortable in the room," Stuart said. "It was a transitional period for everyone. He handled it very well. He brought it back in stages. The way he brought it along really eased people's insecurities."

Cathleen Special, the library's assistant director, has worked at Otis for 22 years. She cited Farwell's fostering of partnerships with outside groups and the 2016 national award as top accomplishments.

Special is a member of the search committee seeking Farwell's successor.

The committee has interviewed some candidates and will keep the job posting open throughout the interview process, Special said. The posting lists the salary range for the position at $85,000 to $95,000.

Hayes said Farwell's successor will have his groundwork to build upon in carrying Otis beyond the pandemic and into the future.

"Whoever replaces Bob, it's not a question of developing a new strategy," Hayes said. "But they do have to create the next chapter of the vision for the expanded role of the library in the community, especially as we come out of COVID. That is what the next executive director will have to confront."

c.bessette@theday.com