After nearly a decade at the helm, Jaffrey Library Director Julie Perrin will be stepping down to become library director in Brattleboro, Vt.
Perrin, who recently moved to Vermont, will begin as the director of Brooks Memorial Library on May 11.
“I’m so grateful for all the opportunities they’ve given me here is Jaffrey, and all the trust they’ve placed in me,” Perrin said in an interview with the Ledger-Transcript. “We’ve done some incredible things to make a really awesome library. I truly believe whoever lands in my office is one lucky librarian to have such a great community, great staff and great Board of Trustees.”
Perrin has been at the Jaffrey Public Library for the past nine-and-a-half years, and spent two years before that as the director in Greenfield. In her time at the Jaffrey library, she has helped modernize the library, bolstered STEAM learning programs, and helped to establish a library consortium, where resources are shared between Jaffrey, Rindge and Marlborough libraries.
“The Jaffrey Public Library Board of Trustees wish Ms. Julie the best as she begins her new chapter as Library Director in Brattleboro,” a statement by the trustees said in an announcement in the library’s newsletter on April 10. “During her tenure in Jaffrey, she has transformed the library into a vibrant hub for our community and a welcoming place for all ages. Her dedication to the library, her staff, and the town of Jaffrey has been extraordinary. She will be missed.”
Perrin’s last day will be May 8. In the meantime, the Jaffrey Public Library Trustees are in the midst of succession planning to find Perrin’s replacement. The Trustee meeting on Tuesday was dedicated to the topic.
“She has some big shoes to fill,” said Trustee Chair John Stone.
The board reviewed the duties that Perrin currently fulfills, and who will cover them in the interim until a new director is in place. Perrin said she has trained the library’s four staff members on those various duties, or they already conduct them in the evenings or weekends when Perrin is not there.
The trustees discussed whether they wanted to pursue an interim director, eventually coming to the conclusion that, unless a current member of staff was interested in the position — which was not the case — they wanted to pursue a permanent replacement.
The board updated the library director’s job description, most notably to include the duties related to the library consortium, which did not exist when Perrin was first hired.
The board also discussed a hiring committee, and what it’s make-up should be, and whether community members or staff should be included. The board agreed to designate two board members to meet with staff to discuss any concerns or what they would like in a new director, and to create a short community survey for public input.
The board has posted advertisements for a new director, for a full-time position with a salary range of $79,000 to $85,000 and benefits. They are seeking a person with a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science with a minimum of three years of administrative and management experience in a library setting. Applications can be submitted to the Board of Trustees at secretary@jaffreypubkliclibrary.org. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled, but priority consideration will be given to applications received by May. 1.
At Perrin’s request, there will be no formal farewell party, but residents who wish to say goodbye or wish her well are encouraged to visit the library during weekdays between now and May 8.