5 Questions with Verona's New Library Director

Mary Torrey, Verona's newest Library Director, has a passion for books and her new community.

Torrey moved into the area after serving as a Library Director in the suburban Philadelphia area and is already falling in love with the town.

“I love it,” she said. “The staff is so nice and helpful and the township is very devoted to the library. Its a very friendly town.”

She is looking forward to getting to know people around town, finding out what they like to read and what services they would like from the library.

Torrey is no stranger to the Northern New Jersey area, having worked in public libraries in East Hanover and Park Ridge.

“I am tuned into New Jersey Libraries so that will really help,” she said. “I've also had a lot of experience in a town of Verona's size, with similar demographics and clientele that really enjoy their library.”

Mary Torrey recently sat to tell Patch about herself.

Why did you choose to work in Verona?

“I really like the (Library) Board. They are very committed to the town and to the library services. Having a professional staff really appeals to me.”

“We have three other professional librarians on our staff. It's great to work with other professionals and people who have a lot of experience here.”

What do you plan to bring to the community?

“I would like our library to have more of a presence online and possibly have a blog on the library website where I can talk about my experiences and what I like to read as well as what patrons look forward to. I also want to get people more involved with the library.”

“We are right next to the middle school and I look forward to working with them to get ideas as to how we can serve their students.”

What role should a library play in its community and what is the role of the Library Director?

“I think we should be the heart of the community, where people can gather and hold meetings, book clubs, discussions and story times for kids. “Story time is very important to get the little ones interested in books. Once you hook them into reading when they are young, they are hooked for life.”

“My role as Library Director is to make sure the library serves all the people in the community. Everyone is different and everyone has a different reading taste so it is important to have what they like. If someone is interested in westerns than you have to make sure you had a wide western collection.”

What has been your draw to libraries and the written word?

“I've always like to read. I have a family friend who was a school librarian and she imparted the love of libraries and the fascination that we have places where you can get what you want to read for free. Librarians have inspired me to get involved.”

“Librarians aren't the quiet, mousey types like the stereotypes,” she added. “In some places where I have worked, the patrons were the ones telling the librarians to quiet down.”

What do you like to do in your spare time?

“I love to garden and I love perennials, and of course I love to read. My favorite authors are Ann Tyler, Elizabeth Berg and Sue Grafton, who writes a series of alphabet mysteries. The first is “A” is for Alibi and she has written all the way up to “V” is for Vengeance. She is a librarians favorite.”

“I like mysteries and fiction and books which I can discuss at book clubs. I like a mystery series because you really get to know the character and stick with them.”