And then there were two. A wide-ranging field of candidates have vied for the position of Mattapoisett Library Director to replace the very soon to be retired Susan Pizzolato. Now two finalists have been selected by the Search Committee – Jennifer Jones of Plymouth and Ellen Snoeyenbos of Halifax – from a field of more than 20 applicants.
The Search Committee, comprised of library trustee members William Osier and Ruth Oliver Jolliffe, as well as community representatives Jennifer Russell, Jennifer McIntire, and William Coquillette, interviewed the finalists on May 28 in the library’s conference room. On hand to help expedite the process was professional recruiter Bernard Lynch of Community Paradigm LLC, the town’s consultant, who introduced the two candidates to the committee members.
Coming before the committee first was Snoeyenbos, who has been the West Bridgewater library director since 2015. Prior to that she was the young adult and reference librarian, as well as being a member of the Silver Lake Regional School Committee. She also noted that she was a library trustee in Halifax and listed an MLS from Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science and a BA from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, as her educational background.
During the question-and-answer session which latest about 40 minutes, Snoeyenbos said she would want to move the Mattapoisett Library closer to technology versus old school systems. She said she was ready to work in a larger setting and the challenge of more staff members while preserving the library’s legacy.
When asked what she thought her strengths were Snoeyenbos responded, “Vision of what a library should be, holding onto core values,” and that she believed she was a motivator. “I work really hard.” Snoeyenbos said she researches necessary information, looks for new ways to integrate what she learns into processes, and reaches out to the younger demographic outside the library walls.
Of weakness, Snoeyenbos said, “I move too quickly. I’ve made mistakes.” She said that she believes in bringing staff together and that she has found a way to,”…balance strong leader and consensus.”
Snoeyenbos said that she feels a sense of urgency in reaching out to younger people who may use their phones in place of a brick-and-mortar, library building, “They may feel they have all they need with a phone.” She said that libraries would lose the public if leadership didn’t reach out into the community.
Of her sense of urgency, Snoeyenbos confided, “The risk you take with me would be I work fast, move too soon.” But she added that she has learned a great deal about leadership and that the trustees have been supportive in West Bridgewater.
Regarding the restrictions brought on in the wake of COVID-19, Snoeyenbos said that she’d want to reopen the library slowly. “We are not retail. I’m nervous about opening too soon.” She also commented that in West Bridgewater she has been encouraging all staff members to seek new ways to reach out to the public during these difficult times. “They all need a little piece of marketing.”
Of the Mattapoisett Library she said that computers need to be upgraded but would not be advocating for any “big ticket” items. She said the staff is well-balanced and well-educated.
There was some discussion of budgets, fundraising, and grant writing and how Mattapoisett’s budget is currently being spent. Snoeyenbos said that she had experience with presenting budgets to finance committees and that the trustees had supported her during union negotiations that she characterized as “a trial by fire.”
Jones has been the assistant library director in Plymouth for 15 years. She said she is ready for a new library and a new community. A graduate of Simmons University with an MSLIS and a BA in sociology from Clark University, Jones has worked closely with adults, young adults, and children since beginning her career.
Reopening the library was an essential topic that the committee discussed with Jones. She said that challenges are present especially for distancing requirements but that social media, print media, and even direct mail could be employed to help keep the community’s relationship with the library intact. But she recognized that some patrons might not use computers or have internet capabilities so using printed missives remains important.
Jones said that she would work with other town departments, OSHA, and best practices from around the country to find safe ways to open the library, while also coordinating efforts with surrounding libraries. “People are missing their libraries,” she said.
In talking about changes she might want to make, Jones noted the possibility of shelving changes and the addition of mobile shelving units, but added, “I’ll need to see what the usage is first.”
Jones said she would want to reach out to local groups such as the League of Women Voters, town departments, and to spend time at the circulation desk to get to know the community and its people.
Experience with setting up and working with teen advisory groups is part of Jones’ background, she said, as well as starting new adult groups. She said she would want to survey the needs of the Mattapoisett patrons to find new ways to engage the community.
Jones admitted that she lacked a depth of knowledge in budgetary processes but that she has begun working on departmental finances and had been through two town-meeting cycles. “I’d seek a mentor to help me,” she said.
Jones was asked where she saw herself in the coming years. “Director of a community library, continuing in that direction, possibly at the end of my career a state agency,” she said, adding that she likes the feel of a smaller community library versus a large institution such as Plymouth’s and the opportunity that represented for closer interaction with the patrons.
After concluding the interviews, Lynch asked the group if they were ready to vote. Entering the conference room, Robbin Smith introduced herself as the general services librarian. Smith asked if before making their decision the committee would grant the staff members to share their comments based on the interviews that had just taken place. The committee, while expressing some readiness to debate and make a selection immediately, granted Smith’s request.
The next meeting of the library director search committee was not scheduled by the end of the meeting. Visit mattapoisett.net to view the public meeting calendar and remote meeting access details.
Mattapoisett Public Library Search Committee
By Marilou Newell