What is the best way to get to know a librarian?  By getting them to dish about books, of course!  Each month, we will introduce you to one of the librarians of Chelmsford Public Library.  This month, we talked to Becky Herrmann, Library Director.

Becky has been the Library Director since March of 2001. A native of Massachusetts, she is a Boston Red Sox fan married to a Yankees fan. When she is not at work, Becky enjoys reading, hiking, weeding her vegetable garden, traveling, cooking, and doing yoga. Not all at the same time, she hastens to add!

We asked Becky…

What was your first library?

My first library was the Ritter Memorial Library in Lunenburg MA – I was 17 and the Library Director there showed me how cool being a library director was. He played Frank Zappa records while we were open, ran a movie night, and saved the town a bunch of money by building new library shelves himself. He helped me think out of the box.

What is on your nightstand right now?

Owen Laukkanen’s Lone Jack Trail, the second book in a mystery series that features a marine veteran, an ex-con, and Lucy, a loveable pit bull solving murders together.

What book do you love to suggest to patrons?

In the Woods by Tana French – it will hook you on the Dublin Murder Squad series, and the good news is there is a new one in the series that just came out! Enjoy!

What is your favorite line from a book?

Can I choose a song instead?

“Now, dreams are just prayers without the put-on airs”, from the song Girl from Brownsville Texas by Jim White.

What is your favorite place to read?

On my deck, looking out at the mountains that I can see from my yard.

Who is your favorite character from a book?

Armand Gamache from the Louise Penny books.

What book would you most like to read again for the first time?

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Last book that made you laugh or cry (or both!)…. 

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

Why do you love being a librarian?

Every day is different and there are always new challenges to discover. I have had many incarnations in my career – library page, head of circulation, reference librarian, head of children’s services, and library director – and I have enjoyed them all. (And books! Right!!!)