As the Library Board of Trustees continues to face ongoing turmoil, Library Director Erin Matlin has resigned from her position effective Jan. 23.
“When I started at the Leach Library over four years ago I was so excited to work here. I took on the challenge of reopening the library to the public after COVID. I saw so much potential and possibility for the community and the patrons of Leach Library. I had hoped and could not wait to share and put forth all the wonderful ideas I had,” Matlin read from a prepared statement during the most recent Trustees meeting.
She said she has been fortunate to implement new programs, expand outreach, and collaborate “with other town departments and more importantly [to create] a welcoming library for everyone in the community.”
“I’m lucky to work with an amazing staff, a staff who is dedicated to their work and truly enjoys what they do. Londonderry, you’re lucky to have a staff like this,” Matlin said.
Matlin said she truly loved her job and knows she belongs in library work.
“I know that library work is where I belong. I am a good librarian and I’m a good director. I am fully aware that at least four of you on this board do not agree with either of those,” she said. “And that’s OK. I don’t need to prove to people who know nothing about libraries, don’t support libraries, and who don’t even use libraries that I’m good at what I do.”
Matlin said she will continue her career in the profession, but elsewhere.
“The public should know that since the election and reelection of two of these four board members – Liz, Jan, Mora, and Christine – I have struggled working here,” she said. “My work is not what it used to be. My library joy is not what it used to be. And to be blunt, I blame you four, along with some outside community members that you surround yourselves with.”
She said she has “struggled coming to work due to my anxiety of receiving harassing emails or having one of you four accuse me of doing something just because you seem to have no idea the purpose or function of a public library.”
“You would rather take the word of some random resident rather than talking to me first. The constant unreasonable demands and expectations are too much. What is worse is the lack of respect for me, my education, my experience, and my practical knowledge of public libraries,” Matlin said.
Matlin also said she was told by the Board of Trustees Chair and another town official that “these certain board members were going to terminate me without cause on two different occasions.”
“I cannot continue to work in a place that is run by people that are cruel, rude, accusatory, and not at all supportive to their staff or even the place they are supposed to support,” she said.
Matlin added that she had never planned to leave.
“I had a vision that I would retire from here,” she said. “That I could leave a legacy behind. But sadly, that is no longer possible.”
During public comment, resident Erica Laue thanked Matlin for her service and noted she had previously raised concerns about the Trustees’ behavior.
“I warned you all months ago that people don’t quit bad jobs, they quit bad bosses,” she said. “And here we are.”
At the end of the meeting, Assistant Director Donna Plante asked if there were plans for who would fill in until a fulltime director is hired.
Chair Liz Thomas said the Board had originally planned to discuss it privately but would be looking to see if Plante was interested in serving as interim director.
Plante then asked about compensation and what the role would entail.
The Board was expected to discuss it at the next meeting.
An email to Thomas looking for comments on the departure of Matlin went unreturned.