Lent to lead public library
LEOMINISTER » Alexander Lent is taking over as the new director of Leominster Public Library on Jan. 25, replacing Nicole Piermarini, who has been the acting interim director since former Director Sondra Murphy resigned at the end of August.
Lent brings years of library experience with him. He was previously the director of the Millis Public Library and was most recently director of the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers.
“It is great to be home,” Lent said. “Growing up in Worcester County, I spent a good deal of time in Leominster. It’s an exciting, vibrant city with a real sense of community and a lot going on. Being able to serve a place I consider a part of my home was very appealing.”
Lent said that although the pandemic made the interview process different from others he has gone through, “it was a great experience. The highlight of the process for me was getting a tour of the library and being able to meet several staff members. “The library’s vision of itself as a welcoming place that reflects the diverse needs of its community particularly resonated with me. This is clearly a special place, with staff, trustees, and a community that care deeply for it. I’m thrilled to join the team — I’m most looking forward to getting to know everyone I’ll be working with and learning more about Leominster.”
The Leominster Public Library Board of Trustees hiring subcommittee, chaired by Susan Chalifoux Zephir, joined by trustees James Despo and Lawrence Nfor, received 26 applications for the director position. Ultimately the full board interviewed Lent on the recommendation of the subcommittee and voted to hire him, said trustees Chair Mark Bodanza.
“Those who participated in all stages of the hiring process were impressed with Mr. Lent’s experience, management philosophy and desire to work in Leomin
ster,” Bodanza said. “He shares our belief that Leominster has a great library and a community committed to it. The trustees chose him enthusiastically and look forward to Mr. Lent joining our staff.”
Lent said his goals for the library over the next several years involve keeping a finger on the pulse of the local community.
“Broadly, I’d like to make sure we understand the needs of the community, do everything we can to meet those needs, and simultaneously expand the community’s understanding of everything the library can be and do for them,” Lent said. Lent believes local libraries are more important than ever, offering a wide variety of services that are especially welcomed and needed during these challenging times.
“Libraries provide an efficient, versatile, and powerful means by which to strengthen the communities they serve,” he said. “Efficient because for every dollar invested in a public library, on average five dollars of value are returned to the community. Versatile because libraries have broad missions and few rules, so just about anything can happen at a library. Powerful because libraries meet people at their interests and help them pursue those interests. This combination means that a carefully led library can have a significant and lasting positive impact on its community.”
In his spare time Lent enjoys gardening, hiking and spending time with his family. He is also a voracious reader. “I enjoy reading any genre, especially if I’ve never read it before,” he said.
Lent attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst for undergraduate studies, and then Simmons College in Boston, where he earned a master’s degree in library and information science. He is working on a master’s degree in public management at Westfield State University. He recently moved back to the area after living in eastern Massachusetts for a number of years.
‘He shares our belief that Leominster has a great library and a community committed to it.’
– Trustees Chair Mark Bodanza