HOPEDALE — The interim library director hired to temporarily lead the Bancroft Memorial Library in Hopedale has been announced as the library’s new permanent director.
Tricia Perry, who has been serving as the library director at the Westwood Public Library for the last seven years, began her new role at Hopedale’s public library on Nov. 15, announced the Bancroft Memorial Library Trustees last week.
Former Director Robyn York left earlier this year after less than a year and a half in the position succeeding Ann Fields, who retired in January 2019 after leading the library at 50 Hopedale St. for 10 years.
Perry, who has more than 35 years of experience in public and school libraries within the Greater Boston area, told the Daily News she feels lucky to have been selected for the top position at Hopedale’s library, especially since it was initially a role she only planned on fulfilling temporarily.
Perry was initially hired in September as an interim director while working as a part-time employee for BiblioTemps, a state-wide service run by the Massachusetts Library System that specializes in recruiting skilled library workers for short and long-term library placements, she said.
When she was first hired, her primary focus was to finalize and submit the Annual Report Information Survey (ARIS), which details library statistics, and the financial reports that are due to the Massachusetts Board of Library Services, said Perry.
“This was intended to be only a part-time interim placement, as the Trustees were in the midst of conducting interviews for the permanent director position,” she said. “Ultimately, after about four weeks in the position, I found myself falling in love with being a director again of a small community library, and submitted my resume for consideration. It was a confluence of factors that brought me to this place, and I do believe that Hopedale is a somewhat magical place.”
Prior to working at the Westwood Public Library, Perry was the library director and children’s and youth services librarian at the Millis Public Library until 2014, and also worked at Sharon Public Schools and the Sharon Public Library. She started her career in the Research Library Office at the Boston Public Library.
“I have worked in every sort of library position, from page, to research librarian, children’s librarian, school librarian and director, and find that I am most happy when I can be working in and amongst the staff and patrons,” said Perry.
Prior to working at the Westwood Public Library, Perry was the library director and children’s and youth services librarian at the Millis Public Library until 2014, and also worked at Sharon Public Schools and the Sharon Public Library. She started her career in the Research Library Office at the Boston Public Library.
“I have worked in every sort of library position, from page, to research librarian, children’s librarian, school librarian and director, and find that I am most happy when I can be working in and amongst the staff and patrons,” said Perry.
“I am looking forward to getting to know more about the Hopedale community, and working with groups such as the Friends of the Library and the Council on Aging, as well as others, as we collaborate to make the Bancroft Memorial Library a vital and responsive resource for the town and all of its residents,” said Perry.
Lauren Young writes about business and pop culture. Reach her at 774-804-1499 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @laurenwhy__.
Bancroft Library (on this site) Bancroft Library (on the town site)