Library Director Sunnie Scarpa is preparing to leave the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library to pursue an opportunity in Wallingford. Scarpa oversaw some of the most difficult and important periods of the library’s recent history and will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy. Her last day will be Friday, Sept. 15.

Scarpa said she was very conflicted about her decision to leave, as she had found a place at the Scranton where her skills could flourish, especially in light of the turbulent era she oversaw. Though she wasn’t seeking to leave, she said she was offered the directorship of her hometown library in Wallingford and she couldn’t pass on the opportunity to return to the institution where she previously worked.

“I did not want to leave Madison. I was very, very happy here. However, when the library directorship position opened up in Wallingford, in addition to being a much larger library with a great reputation, it is also literally in my backyard. From my kitchen window, I can see the library. So, it sort of fell in my lap. Though I would’ve liked to stay in Madison, this was such a unique opportunity that I had to take advantage of it,” said Scarpa.

Scarpa got her undergraduate degree from Gordon College in Massachusetts and received her master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, the only institution in the state that offers a master’s in library science.

Scarpa started as director in 2019 during Scranton’s renovation period and then was immediately thrust into the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been a really good fit here for me and I hope for the library too,” she said. “I think I was really aligned with what the board was looking for and what staff needed at that time. Sort of the right person at that right time situation.”

She added, “It has been a very busy four and a half years. When I started, we were at the temporary location in North Madison, and then less than a year later, COVID hit. Things have fortunately normalized since then, and thank goodness we had this larger renovated library to offer to our patrons because we had the space to hold safe programs and safe meetings. This library is such a great place to gather.”

According to Scarpa, library use by all metrics, including borrowing, foot traffic, and programming, has increased substantially. She was also integral to forging a donation by a local couple, Allan and Penny Katz, of a permanent art collection that has enhanced the library’s ability to deliver high-quality programs.

“Fortunately, we have had such great support from the staff, the community, and from our board. The staff here is just incredible; being able to empower the staff has been something I am proud of and that I hope will continue,” Scarpa said. “It’s bittersweet in many ways. I’m sad to be leaving, and I have been so happy here, and that is due to a really great board of trustees and the great connections we were able to make with the town and all of the supportive community organizations. I’ve been able to do my best work here, and I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish here as a team.”

No replacement for the director has been announced as of yet, but a search committee has been formed. The acting director will be Tim Kellogg, who is head of public services and assistant director at the Scranton.

“I’ll be cheering Madison on from just 40 minutes north because I think the library will be doing even greater things in the coming years,” said Scarpa.