Wilder Library hires new director, bids farewell to MacLaury

The Board of Trustees of Wilder Memorial Library announced the arrival of new library director Amanda Merk. She will be taking over the position from Kerri MacLaury. who leaves on Oct. 1 to move to the Boston area.

Amanda Merk, new director of the Wilder Memorial Library. Photo from Merk’s Facebook page.

According to the board, under MacLaury’s leadership, the library saw dramatic increases in patron usage, volunteer support, program offerings and fundraising goals. She looked for new and creative ways to serve the community and engage volunteers. Merk plans to continue MacLaury’s work.

Merk has spent her career working in libraries, most recently at the Social Law Library in Boston, Mass., where her clientele consisted mostly of lawyers and Supreme Court justices. She said is excited about the prospect of running a small town library.

Merk graduated from McGill University and has a master’s in library science from Simmons College. The board said it was impressed with her qualifications, leadership abilities and library background and knowledge.

The public in invited to stop by the library, 24 Lawrence Hill Road in Weston to welcome Merk and wish MacLaury well in her new endeavors. Library hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.