After 34 dedicated years, Town of North Haven Director of Library Services Patricia LaTerza will retire in November.

LaTerza joined the staff at the North Haven Library as head of children’s service in November 1985. She immediately took the department under her wing, and created countless new programs for children including Adventures in Art, Baby Bounce, Sensory Storytime, and a Story Walk along the Town Green.

LaTerza was responsible for developing the entire children’s department collection, including an extensive selection of fairy tales and special collections such as “sick kid kits” and “sensory kits.” LaTerza added cake pans to the circulating collection in 2010; the North Haven Library was among the first in the nation to offer them (as featured in a New York Times article and on NPR).

LaTerza’s Summer Reading Program for children aged 4 to 14 was unparalleled and enjoyed by more than 1,000 children each summer. For many of the years of her tenure as head of children’s services, LaTerza organized and ran a carnival on the library grounds to kick off Summer Reading.

Even those who weren’t regular library users were still likely influenced by LaTerza. In 2014, LaTerza worked with more than 50 local businesses to help sponsor the town-wide One Town, One Book program, Reading is Your Golden Ticket. This program was designed to create an experience shared by the community while promoting literacy. Copies of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl were made available to every household in town, and the entire program had more than 40 activities and events associated with it.

In 2015, LaTerza became the assistant director of library services. In this role, LaTerza brought her vision to the rest of the library, creating enticing displays that incorporated the bookstore feel. She increased programming for adults, bringing in many new programs on art and history.

In 2016, LaTerza was appointed to her final position at the library as director of library services. In this position, LaTerza again added her special touch to the library and brought more of her wonderful ideas to fruition. She added more displays, rearranged the second floor to offer more comfortable seating, and created much-needed quiet study space. Under LaTerza’s tutelage, programming for adults has continued to expand, with programs offered just about every day. LaTerza implemented a coffee and snack bar with new café-style seating. Last, LaTerza has forged many impactful relationships through the years working with local groups in the North Haven community. In particular, LaTerza’s great relationship with the Friends of the North Haven Library has tremendously benefited the North Haven Memorial Library.

The public is invited to join in North Haven Library’s Community Room to celebrate LaTerza’s service and achievements on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. This event is open to the public, and all are welcome.