Merrimac Public Library Opening Day Ceremonies!
After a construction period of one year, the new library opened its doors to patrons. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the library was held at its new location Saturday, June 26th, at 11:00am at 86 West Main Street. The library was open from 10am until 2pm on that day of celebration and will resume regular hours of operation starting Monday, June 28th.
Inside the 16,000 square foot library, there is room for approximately fifty thousand books and other materials, an enlarged Children's Section and craft room, tutoring areas, reading rooms, and workstations for 12 computers.
The old library will become the town museum.
North Shore Community College:
Karen Pangallo is the new Director, and Anne Tullson has retired.
Special Library member, Lowell National Historical Park, has a new library contact: Jack Herlihy, Exhibit Coordinator and Library Services. The former Library Director, Jo Hills, took early retirement in February (she's now running a B&B in NH with her husband).
Ipswich Public Library Changes:
Mary Lou Murphy, Senior Library Technician-Circulation, will retire on June 30th. Mary Lou is the face of the library for most patrons. Virtually all of her time at the library (she has worked here for over 27 years!) has been spent helping patrons at the Circulation Desk. Before coming to work at the library Mary Lou worked for the Ipswich Public School system. Between her very visible job at the library and her years of volunteer work for the Ipswich Humane Society, Mary Lou knows just about everyone in town-by name. Unfailingly helpful and pleasant, she is also the institutional memory of the library. She is thoroughly familiar with all the materials in the Archives. She is the one we consult about any particularly difficult question concerning Ipswich history. Most of the time Mary Lou knows exactly which book will contain the information about the particular fact/date/person in question. Mary Lou was named the very first "Employee of the Year" for the Town of Ipswich. We are very happy to report that Mary Lou will not leave us entirely. She plans to volunteer at the library often. Hurrah!
The Ipswich Public Library is very pleased to announce that Susanne Simmons has been appointed Senior Library Technician upon the retirement of Mary Lou Murphy. Susanne has worked at the Main Circulation Desk for over five years. She is excited and happy to be taking on the challenge of managing all desk operations.
Elizabeth Uhring is our new Senior Library Technician filling in Susanne's last post. Beth has worked in Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Library for six years and has been a full-time teacher in Ipswich High School for several years. We are delighted to have her as part of our team.
Terry Farish is the new Children's Librarian at Lawrence Public Library.
Margot Vine is he new LMS at Pine Grove School, Rowley. The former LMS, Maureen Gsell, is relocating to a different state.
