Elisabeth “Libby” O’Neil has spent the last five years of her career in Boston where she was the Youth and Community Outreach Librarian for the city’s Copley Square branch. Born in Guilford, Conn., a small town not unlike Marion, O’Neil received her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina and graduate degree at Simmons College.

On Monday, June 3, she will become the new head librarian at the Elizabeth Taber Library following the May 31, retirement of Judith Kleven, who served in that role for 26 years.

Twenty-nine people applied for the position. The library’s Board of Trustees President Asha Wallace said O’Neil’s personality and community outreach experience made her stand out.

“She fits our needs and she’ll really fit well into Marion,” Wallace said. “She’s a good find for us.”

O’Neil, of West Roxbury, talked to “Sippican Week” 10 days before she started her new job, discussing learning opportunities at the library, how she helped patrons find the Burt Reynolds fan club, and the role libraries serve in a community.

Sippican Week – Do you have plans to introduce new technology, classes, or programming to the library?

Elisabeth O’Neil – Yes, as of right now [the Elizabeth Taber Library] has a lending program for Kindle Books and I believe they lend out iPads. I would like to keep promoting that. I want to be doing a lot more computer training, either one-on-one, or meeting for scheduled classes, or just being able to help the Marion community set up email, figure out how to use e-readers, or download e-books.

SW – What is the most satisfying part of your job?

O’Neil – The most satisfying part is being able to help library patrons get the information, or the right kind of books, that they’re looking for. I’m always happy to help in any way I can. I think that’s why I’m a librarian (laughs.)

SW – In your career, has there ever been a particular patron, or a patron’s question, that stood out?

O’Neil - I was in the general reference department [at the Boston Public Library] where people would call and ask all kinds of questions. I had people ask me to find them a Burt Reynolds Fan Club (laughs) so that they could write to the club; I had people ask questions like: “I went to this restaurant, and I want to know how many calories I just ate.”

That was my first job at the library, and then I took a Children’s Librarian position in the South Boston neighborhood branch of the Boston Public Library. I think that’s another reason why I’m excited to work in Marion, because [the branch] had such a good neighborhood feel. Anyone who walked through the door, I was able to greet them as a familiar face and ask them about their family and how everything was going. I had a lot of families that would work with me on projects. We would have toy drives at the library and Easter egg hunts. I had a lot of community partnerships.

SW – What role do you think the Elizabeth Taber Library will play in the community when you are Head Librarian?

O’Neil – I have always envisioned the library as – especially a small town library – to be the focal point in the community. It’s a place where people gather to find information, to find the latest bestseller, but is also a gathering place. Somewhere people can socialize and have fun. I hope to expand on the existing adult programming and create some new and exciting programs too.

SW – What’s the last book you’ve read?

O’Neil –I think it was “Defending Jacob.” [Written by William Landay]. I had heard a lot of great things about it. I believe it was a on a bestseller list. Although, it wasn’t my type of book, I like to read all types of genres so I gave it a shot and I actually really loved it.

SW – What’s the next book you want to read?

O’Neil – “Fly Away,” by Kristin Hannah. She’s one of my favorite authors.