With big shoes to fill, Jennifer Jones was selected by the Mattapoisett Library Director Search Committee as the new director.
The Plymouth resident has been working in that town’s library system for over a decade and was a finalist competing against Ellen Snoeyenbos of Halifax, currently the director of the West Bridgewater Library. Jones was the hands-down favorite it was learned, but she was also the only candidate remaining out of a wide field. Snoeyenbos withdrew her interest in the position after the May 28 in-person interview conducted at the library by the Search Committee.
Jones’ education began in Clarke University, where she majored in sociology and achieved a cum laude Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000. In 2010 Jones graduated from Simmons University with a degree in library sciences, MSLIS. During her Simmons years, she worked fulltime as a youth librarian in Plymouth.
Feeling it was time for a change after so many years in the same community, Jones sought the director position in Mattapoisett. She wrote, “I am an experienced leader with eight years of staff management, program development, facility management in a large public library, and fourteen years of experience in public libraries.” She also noted extensive experience in teen services, including summer reading programs and strategic planning. Added to her list of accomplishments and skills, Jones said she had written grants and is proficient in all aspects of library service as well as web development.
During her on-site interview, Jones told the committee that she would seek a mentor if she were selected, one who could help her develop a greater understanding of the town’s budgetary processes, an area that she said she had only recently been exposed to in Plymouth.
Comments from references Jones provided the committee included, “…(Jones’) thoughtful and innovative approach to new programming, fundraising, along with an ability to implement those new ideas.” It was also noted that Jones had reached out to the Plymouth community, its historical associations, schools, and the county jail to bring the library’s presence and services to a wide-ranging population and their needs. Jones’ work with the Greater Plymouth Performing Arts Center elevated the group’s website, email program, and the creation of a policy manual.
During her interview, Jones said she would first need to review how the library’s collections are used, and possibly explore new ways to display collections. But she also believed it was important to get to know the patrons and their needs before making too many changes.
While Jones was the “last one standing” when the search process concluded, that did not reflect on how the committee members felt about her being offered the position. “I was in favor of Jennifer when there were two candidates,” said committee member Elizabeth Sylvia. William Coquillette, another committee member, said, “We had about thirty resumes, got that down to ten… then three finalists.” He said that the process had been thorough and that, “Jones was selected after quite a process. She was a strong candidate; we are not settling because she is the only one left.”
The vote was unanimous in advancing Jones’ name to the town’s administration. In a follow-up with Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, he told The Wanderer, “I’ll do the contract with the Board of Selectmen in the next week or so.” He said that, while he’ll be preparing the contract, one or both of the selectmen will assist in that process but added, “We’ll want to move quickly if we plan on opening the library soon.”
The Wanderer also reached out to retiring library director Susan Pizzolato. “I have full confidence in the committee’s process. I believe Jennifer will do an excellent job for the town.” She also said, “The library has a wonderful staff that will support the new library director.”
By Marilou Newell