2015.11.26 _ Patricia Hallinan Named New Library Director
Dublin Core
Title
2015.11.26 _ Patricia Hallinan Named New Library Director
Creator
Marschhauser, Brian
Source
"John C. Hart Memorial Library Historical News clippings" Binder, Volume 3, 1991 -
Publisher
Yorktown News
Date
2015-11-26
Rights
This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the John C. Hart Memorial Library. Rights status is not evaluated.
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Yorktown (New York)
Shrub Oak (New York)
Shrub Oak (New York)
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Patricia Hallinan has been named the new director of John C. Hart Memorial Library almost three decades after starting as a librarian.
Hallinan, who previously headed up the reference desk, was named the library's int. erim director in May after the retirement of 21-year library director Pat Barresi. She was sworn into her new position at last Tuesday's Town Board meeting.
''I'd like to thank the library board, who worked very hard and continues to work very hard to make it the best library they can for the people of Yorktown," Hallinan said at the meeting. "I also want to acknowledge the fact that our Friends of the Library are here today and these are the people who work extra hard as volunteers to raise funds and put on programs and I especially want to mention them and all the work they do."
The appointment of H allinan, who will earn $95,000 per year, is subject to a 12-month probationary period, which officially began Tuesday, Nov.17.
"I feel very, very strange because I've been here for 30 years," Hallinan told Yorktown News. "Many of the people who come in through our front door are like family. It's a great place to be."
Hallinan wasn't sure of her chances to be named new library director despite her five months as interim director. In order to qualify, she had to take a civil service exam and apply for the job like any other candidate.
"There are a lot of good reasons to choose someone who hasn't been here for 30 years kind of entrenched in the library," she said. "But I got myself ~m the list and applied for the job."
Hallinan, a long-time Peekskill resident, started at the Hart Library in October 1985. Her first library job was at the Mount Vernon Public Library, but after making the lengthy commute four days a week for six months, she jumped at the opportunity to work in Shrnb Oak, even though the job came with a lesser salary. The main reason for Hallinan's willingness to take that first job at Hart Library years ago was being closer to home and her newborn child.
"I raised my family in and around my job at the H art Library and along the way met wonderful people," Hallinan said. "I've enjoyed. the patrons at the library since 1985 and both of my directors supported my learning new things, going through training and getting out of my comfort zone, so I really 'feel like I grew as a librarian here."
One of her biggest goals as new director is to implement more group programming during the day for retirees and seniors. She would also like to see more care given to the library's infrastructure.
"Some of our infrastructure has not been kept up for whatever reason," Hallinan said. "We have some rotting wood and we have some leaky pipes."
She said many neighboring libraries are renovating and expanding, but she does not see that happening with the H art Library given the economic climate. Instead, she would like to reconfigure the current space for optimal use, specifically the adult room. A New York City-based architecture firm is taking a look at the property this week, she said. Any renovation to the library would be done piece-by-piece over time to avoid a single, large expense. Hallinan said the renovations would be completed through fund- raising and not through taxpayer dollars, similar to the recent children's room renovation.
While Yorktown's population is the seventh- largest within the Westchester Library System, H art Library ranks fifth in total number of items checked out, behind Yonkers, White Plains, Greenburgh and Scarsdale, according to Hallinan. In book circulation'.·per volume (how many books a.re owned versus how many are checked out), the Hart Library ranks first. The library is also fourth in non-book items (DVDs, CDs, etc.) checked out. Increasing the library's non-book collection is another one of her top priorities.
(PHOTO: BRIAN. MARSCHHAUSER Library Director Patricia Hallinan takes the oath of office at last Tuesday's Town Board meeting.)
(QUOTE: "I really did raise my family around the Hart Library and many of the people who come in through our front door are like family. It's a great place to be." -Director Patricia Hallinan John C. H art Memorial Library)
Hallinan, who previously headed up the reference desk, was named the library's int. erim director in May after the retirement of 21-year library director Pat Barresi. She was sworn into her new position at last Tuesday's Town Board meeting.
''I'd like to thank the library board, who worked very hard and continues to work very hard to make it the best library they can for the people of Yorktown," Hallinan said at the meeting. "I also want to acknowledge the fact that our Friends of the Library are here today and these are the people who work extra hard as volunteers to raise funds and put on programs and I especially want to mention them and all the work they do."
The appointment of H allinan, who will earn $95,000 per year, is subject to a 12-month probationary period, which officially began Tuesday, Nov.17.
"I feel very, very strange because I've been here for 30 years," Hallinan told Yorktown News. "Many of the people who come in through our front door are like family. It's a great place to be."
Hallinan wasn't sure of her chances to be named new library director despite her five months as interim director. In order to qualify, she had to take a civil service exam and apply for the job like any other candidate.
"There are a lot of good reasons to choose someone who hasn't been here for 30 years kind of entrenched in the library," she said. "But I got myself ~m the list and applied for the job."
Hallinan, a long-time Peekskill resident, started at the Hart Library in October 1985. Her first library job was at the Mount Vernon Public Library, but after making the lengthy commute four days a week for six months, she jumped at the opportunity to work in Shrnb Oak, even though the job came with a lesser salary. The main reason for Hallinan's willingness to take that first job at Hart Library years ago was being closer to home and her newborn child.
"I raised my family in and around my job at the H art Library and along the way met wonderful people," Hallinan said. "I've enjoyed. the patrons at the library since 1985 and both of my directors supported my learning new things, going through training and getting out of my comfort zone, so I really 'feel like I grew as a librarian here."
One of her biggest goals as new director is to implement more group programming during the day for retirees and seniors. She would also like to see more care given to the library's infrastructure.
"Some of our infrastructure has not been kept up for whatever reason," Hallinan said. "We have some rotting wood and we have some leaky pipes."
She said many neighboring libraries are renovating and expanding, but she does not see that happening with the H art Library given the economic climate. Instead, she would like to reconfigure the current space for optimal use, specifically the adult room. A New York City-based architecture firm is taking a look at the property this week, she said. Any renovation to the library would be done piece-by-piece over time to avoid a single, large expense. Hallinan said the renovations would be completed through fund- raising and not through taxpayer dollars, similar to the recent children's room renovation.
While Yorktown's population is the seventh- largest within the Westchester Library System, H art Library ranks fifth in total number of items checked out, behind Yonkers, White Plains, Greenburgh and Scarsdale, according to Hallinan. In book circulation'.·per volume (how many books a.re owned versus how many are checked out), the Hart Library ranks first. The library is also fourth in non-book items (DVDs, CDs, etc.) checked out. Increasing the library's non-book collection is another one of her top priorities.
(PHOTO: BRIAN. MARSCHHAUSER Library Director Patricia Hallinan takes the oath of office at last Tuesday's Town Board meeting.)
(QUOTE: "I really did raise my family around the Hart Library and many of the people who come in through our front door are like family. It's a great place to be." -Director Patricia Hallinan John C. H art Memorial Library)
Original Format
News clippings
Files
Citation
Marschhauser, Brian, “2015.11.26 _ Patricia Hallinan Named New Library Director,” John C Hart Library Archive, accessed May 16, 2024, https://hartarchive.omeka.net/items/show/14.