Children's Librarian Beloved by Town for Over 23 Years

As a young girl growing up in Dedham, Dorothy Hurley recalls volunteering at the small branch local library. It was her love of books that later led her to Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science where she earned a Masters of Library Science in 1987. She worked at the Wellesley Free Library while going to school, and it was there that she learned of the children’s librarian job in Westborough. 

It was more than 23 years ago that Hurley accepted the position of head children's librarian at the . 

Over the years, she has witnessed many changes in the children’s room, particularly in technological advances. “The main changes have been the new media,” she said. “DVD's replacing VHS, CDs replacing audiotapes, and now ebooks to download to computer. We are providing services (programs and materials) to families with very young children and to a more diverse population.” 

With an entire room full of wonderful books at her finger tips, Hurley is hard pressed to name a favorite. Still, she does have some recommendations. “I love the picture books by Bob Graham, an English author,” she offered. “The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O'Connor is a new adventure story for middle graders, a great read. Also, the English family depicted in Saffy's Angel (and subsequent titles) is quirky and delightful.” 

Heading up the children's library, Hurley takes careful inventory of the popular items in the children’s library. Favorites, she said, include “lots of series fiction - Percy Jackson, fairies, A to Z Mysteries, Magic Tree House, Ivy and Bean, to name a few - picture books such as Mo Willems' Pigeon series...DVDs - in summer especially - and audiobooks on CD for those long car trips.” 

Of all of her responsibilities, Hurley said that her favorite part of the job is working with kids and families, especially during story time. She also enjoys all of the wonderful new and old books that are used for the story hours. During the school year, she runs three story times each week for toddlers and preschoolers. In summer, this is reduced to one.

For over two decades, Westborough children have enjoyed seeing her welcoming smile. She said what keeps her here is “mostly the constantly renewing ‘supply’ of families and children who are active at the library, the challenge of serving a diverse population, the former and current directors who value service to children, and a supportive staff who are sharp and fun to work with.”

Fun Fact: Dorothy Hurley is a long time member of a masters women’s rowing team. Style Driven Rowing Club has been together for fourteen years (4 of the founding members are still active, others have come and gone over the years). The group competes in local and national and occasional international races, and they row for fun as well. Their love of the sport takes them out on the Charles River three to four early mornings a week from April through October.

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