Huntington Public Library Director Maggie Nareau
HUNTINGTON – Margaret “Maggie” Nareau is retiring at the end of June after 35 years with the Huntington Public Library. A 1966 graduate of Gateway Regional High School, Nareau started as assistant librarian in 1982, and as librarian in 1991.
“I think I’m on the great-grandchildren here,” Nareau said.
The Huntington Public Library is part of the Massachusetts Cataloguing System and the Mass. Library system, from which patrons can order any book anywhere. Nareau said the library’s 1,000 patrons take full advantage of the opportunity to order books. The library is open six days a week.
Nareau said the Huntington library focuses on pleasure reading and fiction, and currently has 13,500 books. Of those, 136 were loaned out to other libraries through the inter-library loan system, and 347 were ordered from other libraries.
Huntington Public Library, 7 East Main St., Huntington.
Over the years, she said they’ve gone from one computer given to the library by the state, to a row of five on the floor for patrons, complete with a software computer library. Nareau said first preference is given for use in job searches and education, and then playtime. She said she has proctored several people for finals for college in the library, which has its own Wi-Fi.
In addition to reading and computer access, the Huntington library holds monthly workshops that have included recent ones on painting, copper bookmarking, mosaic tile making and an upcoming workshop on making suncatchers on June 14. The next day, June 15, they will have a guest speaker, Sam Ducharme, talking about hiking the Appalachian Trail, and essential to bring on the hike. Nareau said they have also had performances from local actors in the library.
The library also features regular shows by local artists, scheduling the artist’s open house on the first Saturday of the month. This month, there is a display of art work by Gateway students, with an Open House on Saturday, May 5 from noon to 2 p.m.
Huntington Public Library Director Maggie Nareau and Clerk Amanda Loiselle.
On the second and fourth Saturdays every month they hold story hours, run by assistant director Sherri McLeod and clerk Amanda Loiselle. They also offer a wide variety of programs for children, including professional storytellers, and recently the Forest Park Zoo on the Go. They also hold a summer reading program.
Talking about her retirement, tears come easily to Nareau’s eyes. “It’s been a very good career. I’m 69 years old and getting tired, and it’s time for a new, fresh outlook,” she said, adding, “My husband wants to travel.”
Asked what she has enjoyed the most about being the library director, Nareau quickly mentions access to the materials. “I’m an avid reader,” she admits. “It’s local, and I feel I’m helping the town by keeping books they’re requesting and offering access to computers,” she added.
