Throughout her 15 years of service, Donna Dunlop has steered the Hopkinton library through various challenges, including a rebuilding project after fire sparked by lightning and navigating the challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Dunlop, who is set to retire this month, expressed her gratitude for the support she received from the community and the library staff.
“I’m ready to move on. I’m leaving happy and I feel very lucky in some ways,” she said.
Despite years of tenure, Dunlop said she still experienced a sense of novelty in her position since every day is different – sometimes she has to check the HVAC system, and other days she gets to stroll about the library and talk about books with patrons.
Taking over the role of library director next month will be Rose Jansen, a 34-year-old resident of Warner who previously served as the library service coordinator for the Tucker Free Library in Henniker.
“I think it’ll be great to have a younger person,” Dunlop said as she prepared to pass the torch to Jansen. “New ideas, new energy, and new skills—I think it’s just what the library needs.”
Dunlop’s passion for books blossomed at a young age, fostered by her parents who read to her even through her teens. She earned a library degree right out of college and went on to become an art librarian at Rutgers University.
When she moved to Hopkinton three decades ago, Dunlop began using the library like any other resident but soon fell in love with it. She joined the library board and then became the director.
Initially, Dunlop wondered whether taking the director position was the right move. However, as time passed, she realized that she had stumbled upon the perfect culmination of her interests and skills that resonated with her soul.
“At first I didn’t think it was a good idea,” said Dunlop. “Then I realized that it was exactly what I wanted to do to end my career as a final job.”
One of the most challenging moments in her time as the library director was when lightning struck the building’s cupola in 2018.
“I was kind of on autopilot,” Dunlop recalled the time when fire engines raced to the scene on a stormy Friday afternoon. “We saved the building and about 90% of the collection.”
For Dunlop, one of the best parts of the job is meeting people of all age groups who come through the door every day.
While Dunlop’s retirement is bittersweet, she eagerly looks forward to immersing herself in the stack of books she has carefully selected to keep engaged.
Meanwhile, Jansen, who joins the library staff next Tuesday, is thrilled about the opportunity and deeply appreciative of the warm welcome she has received from the library staff.
Before working at the library in Henniker, Jansen worked in Hopkinton for 10 years and frequented the library in town.
“It’s always interesting to go into a new community because they only have to remember one of you,” said Jansen. “But you are remembering dozens and dozens of people.”
Jansen would like to implement a book club for children between 8 and 12 like the one she had in Henniker.
“I’m ready to continue all the work Donna has done and there is a long legacy,” she said.
