Brittany Durgin ’17MS, director of the Moultonborough Public Library, has received the Library Director of the Year Award from the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association. For National Library Lover’s Month (February), we spoke with Durgin about her reaction to this honor, her interest in public librarianship, and the breadth of training that she received at Simmons.
“I certainly wasn’t expecting to receive the award, so it was a surprise,” says Library Director of the Moultonborough Public Library Brittany Durgin ’17MS, upon receiving the Library Director of the Year Award from the New Hampshire Trustees Library Association (NHLTA).
According to the Moultonborough Public Library Board of Trustees, who unanimously nominated Durgin for this award, “[Durgin’s] professionalism and community-oriented leadership … enhances the quality of services to library patrons and thoughtfully positions the library for continued success in the future.”
In Durgin’s words, “There are so many seasoned librarians who do incredible work, and it’s an honor to be included among them.”
A Career in Public Librarianship
Prior to becoming a librarian, Durgin was a photographer for print newspapers. As the industry began to struggle, she started searching for other positions, some of which required a master’s degree in library and information science.
During her quest, Durgin came across Simmons’ School of Library and Information (SLIS) webpage. “And right on the page, there was a statement about the opportunity to educate, inform, and serve the communities in which we live. And then I realized that this is exactly what journalists do,” she recalls. “I still had the interest to inform and serve our communities, and that’s how I came into the profession of library science.”
In her current role, Durgin appreciates the opportunity to be part of daily operations and to cultivate her leadership. “In terms of the daily operations, sometimes I will be at the front desk, checking books out to patrons, interacting with patrons, or offering assistance with technology. But I also have an office space in the back of the library where I can focus on more administrative tasks … and advocate for things that are important to me and uphold the library’s mission,” she explains.
Interestingly, New Hampshire public libraries are unique in that, while still considered municipal entities, they are managed independently. Durgin’s library has its own board of trustees, and the institution manages its own financials, human resources, and building maintenance. “A public library director in New Hampshire really does it all,” she says. “I learn something new every day … and I just love the liveliness and energy of a public library.”
Durgin is particularly grateful to the staff at Moultonborough. “The staff are the ones who make the magic happen. They are the ones who are out front, doing the programs, and making everything shine at the library. I get to be the support behind the scenes and make sure that they can do that,” she says.
A Breadth of Preparation at Simmons
Durgin was drawn to Simmons SLIS for its mission and renowned reputation. And as a resident of Worcester, Massachusetts, at the time, she could easily take public transportation to her classes.
“The variety of classes required for the [master of library and information science] degree and the variety of elective classes available were so helpful. In public libraries, librarians really do it all … I’ve had to do cataloging, management, programming, and I’ve even filled in for youth story time, so having that variety [at Simmons] was great preparation,” she says.
Before her Simmons graduation, Durgin knew she wanted to work in public libraries. “I knew that I wanted to work directly with people, be in some kind of leadership role, and be able to advocate and serve the community. While I think all libraries do that, my interest was really in public librarianship, and the classes at Simmons cemented that for me,” she says.
Moreover, Durgin credits Simmons for instilling in her the principles of librarianship. “The program at Simmons gave me the foundation that you need to uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and privacy that we refer back to every day in our work,” she notes.
Durgin has fond memories of her Simmons classes and peers. “I enjoyed being able to meet the other students, many of whom seemed to be coming to library science as a second or third career, like I was,” she recalls. “It was neat to meet people who brought different backgrounds and experiences to our classes.”
Witnessing Growth
Reflecting on the joys of her profession, “I love to be in a leadership position to help others do the work that they want to do,” Durgin says. “One employee said that I was like a conductor, the quiet person up front making sure things run smoothly.”
Durgin also cherishes direct interactions with patrons. “Seeing them learn something new, whether it’s how to use new technology or gain new coping skills through a bereavement group, being a part of people’s growth is the most rewarding thing for me.”