New Director Of Darien Library Begins Job Sept. 8

DARIEN, CT — Kiera Parrott, a former employee of the facility, will be Darien Library's next director, replacing the retiring Alan Kirk Gray, the Board of Trustees of the Friends of Darien Library announced earlier this month.

Parrott, who holds a master of library information science from Queens College, will begin her new job on Sept. 8. She landed the job following a nationwide search for a new director.

"The Board of Trustees was seeking a visionary leader ready to reimagine the Library's role consistent with its culture of excellence in service to its patrons and the Darien community, and we are thrilled to have found this leader in Kiera," said Tamara Sload, board president, in a statement. "She is an inspirational and gifted leader, understands and values the importance of excellent communication and respectful relationship building, and brings a unique and compelling perspective to strategic planning that we believe make her uniquely suited to assume this role. We are excited to welcome her back to Darien Library."

Parrott worked at Darien Library from 2008 to 2013, as a children's librarian and collection development coordinator. She also served as head of Children's Services. During her first tenure with the library, Parrott launched the T.E.A. (Technology, Engineering, Arts) Room makerspace and expanded KidLibCamp, an annual professional development conference for youth services librarians from across the tri-state area.

"Watching the tireless efforts of the Darien Library staff and administration over the past few months makes me both humbled and proud to be rejoining this remarkable institution," said Parrott. "From offering creative, socially-distanced Express Services, like curbside pick-up and an array of virtual programming, to quickly creating charging stations and workspaces throughout the courtyard during the recent power outages, the Darien Library never fails to show up for the community, especially in times of crisis. It is that dedication to and passion for public service that first attracted me to Darien Library, and it is that ethos that drew me back once again."

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