Community Corner

Hauppauge Public Library Comes Under New Leadership

Matt Bollerman begins first day as director of the Hauppuage Public Library as Judith Berry retired on Oct. 21.

As the Hauppauge Public Library celebrates its 11th anniversary this October, the year ahead will bring a change of leadership to the community.

Judith Berry, who has served as director of the Hauppauge Public Library for the past five years, officially resigned her position to enter retirement on Oct. 21. Berry has overseen the growth and expanding of the library for more than half its existence.

"I so enjoyed being a part of the Hauppauge community I felt honored and privileged to be a director of the library. The community and staff is phenomenal," she said, holding back tears on Friday afternoon.

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Berry said she chose to retire to enjoy more time with her husband, who retired several years ago.

One of Berry's major achievements as director of the Hauppauge Public Library was to locate property for a permanent home. Berry worked with library trustees to close a deal, three years in the making, with Islip Town officials to purchase

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Matt Bollerman, former director of the Westhampton Free Library, started his first day as Hauppauge's director on Monday. He was hired by the library trustees due to his accomplishments and experience in serving Westhampton, according to Berry.

Bollerman managed the construction of a $7.8 million, 14,250-square-foot building for the Westhampton Free Library that opened in June 2010. He oversaw a $2.35 million budget and staff of 12 full-time staff members and 32 part-timers in Westhampton.

The new director is also the president-elect of the New York Library Association, with his term scheduled to begin in November.

In an , Bollerman said  I get a lot of joy helping the staff put on public service programs that help [people] improve their lives."

 

 

 

 

 


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