By Theresa Knapp 

On July 22, Tricia Perry retired from her position of Director at the Bancroft Memorial Library. Her next chapter, she says, is still being written. 

“My next steps are to have my official government-issued Medicare card in my wallet, I’ve rediscovered my love of swimming (and have definitely increased my speed and endurance) and am well on my way to sewing an assortment of seven quilts for my daughter’s bridesmaids - I have a year, the wedding is next September.”

Perry was serving in Hopedale as a “very part-time employee though the Mass Library Association’s contract service (also known as “Bibliotemps”)” before she was named director in November 2021. 

“I just fell in love with the library, the staff, and the community. So when the [Board of] Trustees Chair Fred Oldfield asked me for a second (or third) time if I might be interested in a more permanent position, I said ‘yes’ - the library, town, community, patrons, and staff just seemed to be a great fit. As I recall, the words I used when accepting the position were that it seemed ‘magical.’ And, full disclosure, I was a Children’s Librarian for many years so magical storybook realities are something that should never be dismissed, stories really can be magical.” 

In fact, Perry had over 35 years of experience in public and school libraries before starting in Hopedale. She served as library director at both the Westwood and Millis Public Libraries, and worked at the Sharon Public Library, Sharon Public Schools, and the Boston Public Library.  

“I loved being a Library Director in Hopedale,” Perry said post-retirement. She spoke very highly of the patrons, Trustees, Friends, and library staff – many by name. “And I loved the support from all of the community - schools, town staff and administrators, community businesses who sponsored museum passes, residents who suggested programs - especially those individuals who committed to actually doing a program/talk/event; and The Hopedale Foundation and the Hopedale Community House. I love that the Bright Beginnings Preschool director (Kristen Poissen) was an amazing collaborative guru and a true champion of literacy.”   

Perry said she also enjoyed StoryWalks, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, “A Long Walk To Water” community read, “and the special Hopedale traditions including the annual Scarecrow Fest and the “Cocoa Crawl and Winter Stroll.”

But now, she says, she is enjoying “being in the pool swimming laps, quilting, reading a lot of books and discovering new authors, getting together with friends for long leisurely lunches, and taking long walks on beaches,” and remembering the magic of the Bancroft Memorial Library. 

“The vibrancy of being a part of this community, it really did dial up the magic! And it was truly a pleasure and a privilege to have been a part of this for three years.” 

The new library director is Keely Bethel-Penny who started in July.