Sandy Long, Head Librarian For 41 Years, To Retire

Ted Mallory, the president of the Scranton Memorial Library Board of Trustees, has formally announced the retirement of Scranton Library Director Sandy Long.

In a letter to Scranton Library Staff dated Wednesday, July 20, Mallory said "With sadness, I announced the retirement of Library Director Sandy Long. Sandy has been the foundation of our library for over four decades ... her leadership and personality have made the library a treasure to the town and a marvelous place to work for our employees."

Mallory said in the letter that "Sandy will be extremely difficult to replace," and that her planned retirement date is October 14, 2011. he said a search committee has been designated and that an updated job description will be developed, and that candidates will be identified and then interviewed. "This process is already underway."

"Sandy's integrity, ingenuity and New England style of management ensured a professional and efficient library operation and contributed mightily to her many entertaining and incisive reports to the Board of Trustees," Mallory said.

Long, saying she had a busy afternoon ahead of her, declined to comment on her resignation Wednesday, but said she would make herself available for comment at a later date.