Patricia Perito retired on Sept. 1 after 18 years as director of the Town of Pelham Public Library

Library President Terrence Mullan said in an email the board of trustees thanked Perito “for her 18 years of service to the Pelham community… The board wishes to acknowledge Patricia’s past contributions as she worked with the board over the years in our efforts  to accomplish the library’s mission of striving to provide excellent library services and programming in concert with other cultural and educational institutions in Pelham. She leaves a staff equally dedicated to this mission of supporting open access to a broad range of materials and services to people of all ages and abilities, and from all backgrounds within the community.”

The board plans to begin a search for the new director as soon as it gets through budget season in early October, Mullan said.

Head librarian Augusta Turner was named acting director by the board and is overseeing the day-to-day functions of the library.

“In building the five-year plan, the library and Trustees Margaret Breuninger and Emily Gest held multiple open sessions with the public and hosted a very thorough survey of needs/wants for the library,” said Mullan. “I believe that gives us the framework for what residents and library patrons are seeking in the next director.”