Southington Library/Barnes Museum Has A New Leader

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Public Library Thursday announced it has a new leader who will head up both the public library and the town-operated Barnes Museum.

The library said the current director of the Jonathan Trumbull Library in historic Lebanon, Matthew Earls, will head Southington's library/museum starting March 17.

Town officials said Earls "will take the lead, alongside the library and Barnes board, with the development of the new Library project."

In November 2021, voters approved a $16.9 million Southington Public Library construction project, but that has been held up due to the cost overruns and supply issues plaguing many construction projects.

Last fall, the town learned the money approved in a November 2021 would not cover the cost of a 30,000-square-foot facility, with estimates now saying the money approved could only pay for a 24,000-square-foot library at the 255 Main St. site.

What to do next — scale back the project or seek more money — is something being debated in town currently.

Earls replaces former library director Kristi Sadowski, who stepped down last October due to health issues.

Earls has been the library director in Lebanon for the past five years.

The town cited Earls' experience in library administration, municipal procedures, non-profit boards and leadership.

"He is knowledgeable in facilities management, including the physical infrastructure of buildings, mechanics, telecommunications, library information systems and computer networks," wrote the town. "Matthew is highly-skilled in grant writing, fundraising, finance planning and the budget process. He has expertise in library design, library construction, and landscaping."

He is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where he has obtained his Masters of Library Science.

"I think the library is the most important building in town and I am honored that I was chosen as director," Earls said. "The library is a great place already with programs, a wonderful collection, and a center of the community.

"My main talking point is to visit the library every week, and something magical happens. Kids become readers. Neighbors become friends. The library has something for everyone.”

For more information about the Southington Public Library, visit southingtonlibrary.org.

For more information on the Jonathan Trumbull Public Library in Lebanon, click on this link.

From Sept. 22, 2022: 'Cost Overruns Put Southington Library Project In Limbo'