MATTAPOISETT —  After ten years at the town’s Free Public Library Director Susan Pizzolato will retire on June. 30.

Pizzolato looks back extremely fondly on her time as director.

“Whoever follows as the next Library Director is stepping into a dream job. That's how I feel about working in Mattapoisett's library… The community loves its library, and it has been a privilege to work for the townspeople,” Pizzolato said.

She also offered some words of reassurance about the transition.

“Our great staff will continue to provide the excellent service  to which everyone is accustomed. I have no doubt about that. It's a beautiful library with wonderful patrons,” she said.

A new Library Director Search Committee met on Jan. 30 to begin searching for a replacement. The committee, mainly composed of Library Trustees, met with Bernard Lynch from Community Paradigm Associates, a hiring consultant for towns.

Lynch outlined a broad timeline for the search: draft a position profile, collect resumes until March 9, conduct private interviews and send two to four finalists to public interviews with the library trustees, who will send their choice to the Selectmen for final approval by mid-May. That will give the new director enough time to give 30 days notice and start in mid-June.

The advisor also asked committee members which traits they value in a candidate.

Committee members would prioritize someone who has worked at a library of roughly the same size, who lives in the community or would be willing to be in the area, someone comfortable with budgets, and someone with leadership skills, but who is also willing to listen.

The profile and purpose of a library has changed drastically, committee members said, from a place with books and quiet to a community center, with vibrant programming. They hoped the new librarian would be someone who balances traditional library services with innovative ideas.

“Susan has done everything, with amazing imagination and resourcefulness,” committee member Ruth Joliffe said.

Also important are interpersonal skills, “not just with the community that comes in, but with the community that never comes in,” to ensure that the library can balance priorities with the rest of the community, committee member Jennifer McIntire said.