Longtime Rutland resident and Rutland Public Library Director Kerry Remington will retire this year after serving the library and community for the past 31 years.

Remington began working at the library in 1994 after what she described as a chance encounter. While visiting the library looking for information, a librarian approached her and mentioned that the library was looking for help.

“She told me I would be a great fit for the job,” Remington said. “It was surprising to me because I’m a loud person in general and libraries usually need to be quiet.”

Remington initially worked only a few hours at a time before eventually earning a full-time position as assistant director and then becoming the library’s director.

When she first started, the Rutland Public Library was located in the smaller building now known as The Annex. In June 2001, the current library building opened with the help of community funding.

Now approaching the 25th anniversary of the building’s opening, the library plans to celebrate the milestone on Sunday, June 14 from 1-4 pm. The public is invited and numerous activities are planned.

Over the course of her three decades at the library, Remington has witnessed major technological and cultural changes in how people access media and information.

“A lot has changed since I started working for the library,” Remington said. “I’ve witnessed the change from VHS to DVDs, to Blu-ray, to streaming in more recent years.”

Much of the library’s content and services have become digitized over the years, making resources more accessible to a wider audience, including more technology-oriented patrons. 

Looking back on her career, Remington said she is especially proud of the work the library staff accomplished during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a time of isolation and uncertainty, the library found creative ways to keep the community engaged. One initiative encouraged residents to support local restaurants by submitting takeout receipts into raffles organized through the library, with prizes awarded to participants.

The library also continued offering book pickup and delivery services during the pandemic. According to Remington, more than 30 people from surrounding communities placed orders through the Rutland library because similar services were unavailable elsewhere at the time.

Remington emphasized the importance of maintaining community involvement during a period when many people felt isolated. To this day, she continues helping to deliver books to residents who struggle with transportation or cannot otherwise access the library on their own.

Another accomplishment Remington highlighted was the implementation of the library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB), which gives local students opportunities to help library staff with various projects and activities.

“It’s amazing what those kids are willing to do to help out in return for free pizza, chocolate milk and a space to socialize,” Remington said.

Through programs like TAB, Remington hopes younger generations recognize the importance of reading and supporting local libraries.

TAB is helping to create a free Little Library that will be installed outside Naquag Elementary School. The project required approval from the Department of Public Works and other local boards before the structure could be sited where it will provide free books to the public. The box will be registered with the Little Library organization, and a plaque will be added to the box.

Library staff members say Remington’s dedication has left a lasting impact. Donna Merhib, a library aide of four years and a library visitor for more than three decades, described Remington as “very dedicated and thoughtful.”

“Not to mention that she’s a great boss,” Merhib said.

Mary Calkins, who has worked as a library aide for 12 years, said Remington’s leadership extended far beyond the walls of the library. “She’s responsible for holding the library together as a director, and she has had a major impact on the town government from the outside — not as a member of any of the boards, but just as a concerned citizen,” Calkins said.

As Remington prepares to retire after more than three decades at the library, Calkins said her absence will be deeply felt.

“She’s the heart and spirit of this library, and she’s been like that for 30 years,” Calkins said. “There’s really no one that will be able to replace her.”

Remington said she already knows what her next chapter will be.

“I want to move out to the coast,” Remington said. “I want to wake up and be able to look at the ocean every day from here on out.”

After 31 years spent serving the Rutland community, helping patrons find books, guiding the library through decades of change and most importantly, keeping people connected during some of the town’s most difficult moments, Remington looks forward to a quieter life by the water.  W