LYNNFIELD — After almost a year as acting director, Abigail Porter has been officially named library director of the Lynnfield Public Library.
Porter joined the library in June 2019 as assistant director and head of Adult Services, where she was “instrumental” throughout the pandemic, according to a press release. In August of 2021, she took on the role of acting director while a committee searched for a permanent director following the resignation of Jennifer Inglis. That permanent director ended up being Porter herself.
Porter expressed that she is happy to stay in Lynnfield after 10 months in the acting position, saying that she is “really excited to make it permanent.”
This announcement comes at a time of hope for the library as they work on securing funding for a new one. Lynnfield is currently number eight on the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners funding list but is expected to move up in priority “pretty quickly.”
The plan to build a new library was spurred by a need for a larger space. “We don’t have space for people,” said Porter. “There’s a lot we could do with a new space,” she remarked, citing hopes for more community meeting spaces, a designated teen area, and individual working rooms. If the town approves the plans, the new library will be built at Reedy Meadows, where there would be more space both in and outside.
Porter is excited about the funding the library received for a website overhaul. The new website will be more accessible for colorblind people and those who use screen readers, as well as providing a less “clunky” experience in general.
Emma Fringuelli can be reached at [email protected].
