Hingham Public Library Director Teaches in His Own Way

For over 30 years, Hingham Public Library Director Dennis Corcoran has loved working in what he calls the people’s university, otherwise known to others as the .

“[It’s] a place where people from all backgrounds and economic situations [can] follow a path of self-education and actualization,” he said.

After considering a career as a college history professor, Corcoran earned a degree in library and information sciences from Simmons College. Then working as a reference librarian and a branch library supervisor, Corcoran moved from his job as Library Director in Marshfield to his position today in Hingham.

“I was fortunate to be hired by the Library Board of Trustees,” he said. “What made it even more attractive to me was Hingham has just begun to pursue an expansion...and I wanted to be a part of that process.”

Corcoran’s role as Library Director involves overlooking all of the library’s programs and initiatives. Since entering the job in the late 1990’s, Corcoran has already seen many changes.

“When I first entered the field mini-computers were a rarity and personal computers were non-existent,” he said. “Hingham was a late-comer to library automation...[now borrowers] are distressed if their items don’t arrive in a day or two.”

This is all in addition to the major growth the library has seen both externally and internally. While the library has increased in size over the years, Corcoran has influenced many programs inside. Currently, Corcoran is enthusiastically working with the Osher Life Long Learning Institute (OLLI) to provide short classes.

“I’m really excited about life-long learning initiatives,” said Corcoran. 

Another program Corcoran is excited about is the Library’s Brown Bag Lecture Series, which are seminars taught by local scholars.

On September 9th, the library will host “The Woman Behind Little Women: A Reading, Viewing, & Discussion Series”.

 “We have 70 people signed-up and are now wait-listing people," Corcoran said.

When he isn’t planning massive community outreach projects, he can be found traveling to visit his daughter in California, attending live blues concerts and admiring the architecture around Boston. Despite his many hobbies, Corcoran really appreciates his job.

“The most rewarding aspect of the job is being a part of a dynamic and valued community institution,” he said.

Corcoran can be found at the Hingham Public Library, which is open Monday- Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.