After 26 years, Northborough librarian retires
By Julia Cho Contributing Writer

Judy Sugarman at the library PHOTO/JULIA CHO

Northborough - One day in December 1981, Judy Sugarman walked into the Northborough Public Library with her kids to pick up some books and happened to see a job announcement for a position as a library assistant in the Children's Room. She filled out the application and got the job. Now 26 years later, she is retiring from that position at the end of this month.

"I've always only worked with kids, from the time I was a babysitter as a teenager, then I was a day camp counselor, then a teacher," Sugarman said. "I've always loved libraries and books and I've always loved children, so it's the ideal combination for me."

Sugarman's love for her job is apparent to anyone who has met her, most especially to the children and the parents she serves. Library Director Jean Langley has known Sugarman for the entire time she has worked at the library.

"She's such an incredibly good listener … She's just been such a wonderful member of the staff all this time," Langley said. "She's really been an asset, not just to the library, but to the town."

Sugarman herself said the most fulfilling part of her job has been working with the public.

"People think if you're in the Children's Room you're only dealing with children, but we deal with parents who come in with babies just on their way home from the hospital, we deal with grandparents, we deal with every age, and that's the best part," she said.

She is a bit wistful about the new library expansion project.

"That is one thing that is hard to leave now," she said. "The Children's Room is going to be a more open area … and there will be a new arts and crafts room. That's going to be fabulous."

Sugarman was an active participant in the planning of the new library, visiting other libraries to see what designs worked and collaborating with the other members of the staff .

"We all worked together on the whole thing," she said. "… I'm very glad to have been a part of it."

Her retirement plans are far from all rest and relaxation.

"I am going to substitute [at the library] occasionally," she said.

She also looks forward to spending more time with her husband, working on her garden and her counted crossstitch hobbies, traveling, doing volunteer work, and doing more reading.

"People think if you work in a library, you're just reading all the time, but you're not," she said.

There will be a reception for Sugarman Sunday March 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 71 Lyman St., in the temporary home of the Northborough library. The library will only be open for the reception, with no library services available that day.

There is also a "Best Wishes" book at the library for people to sign. Children, of course, and adults are welcome to leave a message or draw a picture in the book.