The Edgartown Library Board of Trustees has voted to hire Lisa Sherman as the next director of the town’s free public library. She will succeed Jill Hughes, who will step down at the end of August after three years as director.

Ms. Sherman is currently the director of the Aquinnah Library. She served briefly as the interim library director before Ms. Hughes was hired, and was circulation manager at the Edgartown library for five years before that.

As the new director, Ms. Sherman will oversee the transition of the library staff and materials to the new library nearing completion next to the Edgartown School.

“I’m very excited to go back to Edgartown, and be part of this huge move for the library,” she said. “Everyone has been so supportive of this, and waiting so long.”

While looking forward to the move, Ms. Sherman said she has grown attached to the Aquinnah families that visit the library.

“It’s going to be hard to leave this great little community,” she said. “It’s an extraordinary place.”
After widely advertising for the position of director, the Edgartown Library trustees received 13 applications, according to board chairman Julie Lively. They interviewed five candidates, and called two back for a second round of interviews.

At its July 22 meeting, the board of trustees interviewed the two candidates, and held a series of votes. The first vote was a tie. Following a long debate, the trustees voted by secret ballot 5-1 in favor of Ms. Sherman. The board then formally agreed to unanimously support the new director.

“We all had an opportunity to talk about what our thoughts and opinions were,” Ms. Lively said. “We had another very qualified candidate. At the end of the day, Lisa was an overwhelming favorite.”

“We’re all thrilled to have her back in Edgartown. She has a lot of knowledge about Edgartown, and about the library.”

Ms. Hughes and Ms. Sherman will work over the next few weeks toward a smooth transition.

“There’s a lot to transition, not just for the library, but for the new building as well,” Ms. Lively said.