MARLBOROUGH – Come early in the new year, Margaret Cardello will not be among the stacks at Marlborough Public Library.
After 12 years, she will be stepping down as the library’s director.
The first thing she’ll do once her retirement begins?
“Throw out my alarm clock,” she said.
Cardello plans to catch up on her reading and to travel.
She also plans to visit the “new” library once it opens next spring.
“Being here with the dream of a new library becoming a reality – that’s definitely a highlight of my career,” she said. “It’s been tremendously rewarding.”
Mayor Arthur Vigeant said Cardello had successfully added and enhanced the public programming in Marlborough.
“She’s been an integral member of the Public Library Building Committee working on the library renovation and expansion project to better serve our residents,” Vigeant said. “I wish her well in her retirement and all future endeavors.”
A 40-year career
Cardello has spent nearly four decades in libraries; she has served as deputy director of the Manchester, N.H., library and also as a consultant for the Central Massachusetts library system.
On why she liked libraries, Cardello said, “Libraries provide a great service to the public.”
Also, “I love to see children pick up books. Reading’s so important,” she added.
Libraries have experienced many changes over the past four decades, from self-checkout stations to the rise of online services, such as Kindle.
“Kindle lets libraries become more portable,” said Cardello.
For Cardello, the ability to adapt has become an essential skill for libraries.
“Any library doesn’t get enough credit for being able to adapt,” she said.
During her tenure in Marlborough, the city broke ground on renovations to the library. For nearly two years, the library has adapted to working out of the Walker Building while construction continues at the Main Street site.
“The space here is a challenge,” said Cardello. “Once the new library opens, it’ll be a whole new world of programming.”
“The roof shingles are a real milestone,” she added. “It means something permanent.”
She credits “a fantastic staff” for working through this transition, as well as the soon-to-be transition to a new director.
“They care very deeply about providing good service,” she said.
Cardello said she hopes the community will welcome the new library, which will include study rooms and meeting rooms.
“We’re a library people look to for leadership,” she said.
As she enters the final weeks of her directorship, Cardello said, “I’ve had a wonderful time in Marlborough. The community and trustees have been extremely supportive. I’m so happy to have landed here.”
“I’ve worked with her since 2017. She’s been a nice person to work with, and a great leader for the library,” said Assistant Director Morgan Manzella.
