Town of Brattleboro Names Julie Perrin Next Director of Brooks Memorial Library
The Town of Brattleboro is pleased to announce the appointment of Brooks Memorial Library’s next Director, Julie Perrin. Perrin, who has spent the past nine years leading the Jaffrey Public Library in Jaffrey, NH, brings extensive experience in library program development, grant writing, and operations management. She will begin on May 11, 2026.
“We're excited to have someone with Julie’s clear passion and original thought to pick up the thread and help write the next chapter at Brooks Memorial Library,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter. “She’s an experienced leader with a proven track record that includes efficient management, capital fundraising, and facility project management, which is especially important as Brooks undergoes renovations over the next year.”
"Public libraries not only enhance the social and economic vitality of a community," said Perrin, "but also serve as a safety net for our most vulnerable populations. As the biggest library in southeastern Vermont, Brooks has an amazing opportunity to continue building a lasting positive impact, both for Brattleboro and other rural communities throughout the region."
When Perrin was first hired at the Jaffrey Public Library, she said she was tasked with bringing a traditional institution into the 21st Century. Part of that work involved expanding the scope of literacy to not only include reading and writing skills, but to provide opportunities for patrons to become well-versed in a host of other subjects, like technology, finance, science, health, and the environment.
In 2020, Perrin was named Library Director of the Year by the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association for being among the first directors to develop a robust pandemic policy, one that was shared widely with the association’s membership and became a model throughout the state. In the ensuing years, Perrin has spearheaded numerous initiatives that provide learning opportunities for all ages, from coding classes for children to personalized, one-on-one assistance for older adults needing help with online forms.
Human Resources Director Sally Cruz Nix said that of the 22 outstanding applicants in this competitive hiring process, all the stakeholders felt Perrin identified as a leader who aligns with the values and culture of our community.
“I am grateful to the Brooks Memorial Library Board of Trustees, the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library, and our dedicated library staff for their collaboration throughout this multi-stage search. Their commitment ensured that we found our library’s next brilliant director,” said Nix.
Jennifer Rowe, Treasurer of the Brooks Memorial Library Board of Trustees and a member of the hiring team, said that, in addition to Perrin’s enthusiasm for Brattleboro, Perrin stood out because her diverse skillset made her uniquely well-suited for Brooks Memorial Library.
"Julie has a background in developing imaginative, compelling activities and offerings at the library, and has experience in reaching out to the community and collaborating with different entities in town," said Rowe.
For example, under Perrin’s leadership, the Jaffrey Public Library focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programming, which was bolstered by a local manufacturing company that provided funding for science education. While Perrin said science was an intimidating subject for her growing up, working with local scientists opened her eyes to the way the subject can introduce children to the natural world.
“I’ve focused on being a strong community collaborator, which I think is an essential function for this position at Brooks,” Perrin said, “especially since Brattleboro is teeming with wonderful community members, organizations, and groups to partner with.”
As part of the hiring process, Perrin was able to tour the library, just before the construction project began.
"I enjoyed meeting the staff at Brooks and the Department Heads in Brattleboro. They seem to be a dedicated and compassionate team of public servants, and I look forward to working with them,” said Perrin. “I'm eager to hear from the community about what they love about Brooks and their ideas for the future and am really excited about working together.”