As I mentioned in the last newsletter, I will be retiring at the end of April. I am sad to be leaving but looking forward to what comes next. And sleeping late.

I started working in a library when I was in high school, and was very fortunate to find work that I liked so early. After college, I knew I was going to pursue a library career, and went right into library school at Simmons. When I finished Simmons I started looking for a full time job and came to Medford for an interview in November 1984. (I didn’t actually know where Medford was at that point, so my Uncle drove me to the interview. Happy to say that I do know where it is now!) I started about a month later on December 5 as the Head of Technical Services.

I wasn’t supposed to stay here for 42 years. The advice I was given in 1984 was to stay for five years and then move up in other libraries at regular intervals until I became a director. This was the traditional career path but I didn’t follow it, because the nature of libraries changed around me. In the 1980’s, library networks and computers changed everything, and in the 1990s, the internet arrived and that changed everything again. I didn’t have to leave to get new experiences, I just had to sit still and help to move the MPL through the changes, first as the Assistant Director for 22 years, and then as Director for the last ten years.

I also should say that I didn’t want to leave Medford and I’m glad that the library world changed and I didn’t have to leave. Thank you, internet! I liked it here from the start and have been lucky to make so many friends here and to be involved with this community. When I look back at the trajectory of the library over these decades, I am proud to say that we kept moving forward even in the very tough times. And there were some very tough times. But in the last decade, thanks to the support of the community, the city administration, our very generous donors, and the hard work of my staff, we have been able to grow our staff and our funding, and to build this exceptional building.

Libraries are very different from when I started but are as important and essential as ever. This Library has been and will continue to be at the heart of this community. Please keep supporting the Library and the people who work here. And thank you Medford for everything!

Barbara