ANDOVER — Town Manager Reginald "Buzz" Stapczynski has chosen Beth Mazine, assistant director at Memorial Hall Library, to replace retiring library Director Jim Sutton.
Selectmen are expected to vote on the appointment July 6. If it is approved, Mazine will take over for Sutton July 7.
Mazine, who could not be reached for comment last week, has worked at Memorial Hall Library since 1987. She has been assistant library director there for 15 years, Stapczynski said.
Stapczynski said Mazine has gained a wealth of experience working in Andover.
"She has the leadership and administrative skills necessary to keep Memorial Hall Library at the forefront of public libraries in New England," said Stapczynski.
Mazine was one of 16 applicants to submit resumes for the director's position.
A screening committee reviewed the resumes and conducted interviews with applicants before selecting Mazine as the top candidate for the job, Stapczynski said.
Sutton, 62, was named Andover library director in September 1993.
He will retire to spend more time with his grandchildren and wife, a recently retired teacher.
Before working in Andover, Sutton served as the library director and assistant library director in Natick for 14 years.
When he announced his plans to retire this spring, Sutton said his replacement would have to contend with a tight library operating budget next year.
The Memorial Hall Library budget was cut by $165,000 in the fiscal year that begins Wednesday.
As a result, vacant positions for a full-time reference librarian and a part-time circulation assistant will remain unfilled.
The library will also close four hours early on Thursdays beginning this week.
Starting July 2, the library will now be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday. It will not open on Sundays during the summer.
