Northampton Area Public Library has a new director. Veronica Laroche was offered the position Nov. 18, 2021, having made an impression at the initial and second interviews - first with the library board panel and the second with the entire library board - both in October 2021. Laroche was prepared to begin her first day on the job Jan. 4, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she started Jan. 10.

Laroche does not come from far away. In fact, her previous job was in neighboring Lehigh County as Coplay Public Library’s director. She held this position for two years but had worked at the Coplay library for a total of about seven years.

Laroche had asked the Northampton library board to remain as Coplay library’s director for an extra bit of time to provide the Coplay library an easier transition, “so that way [the library was] as set up for success as [it] could be without having a director at that point.” Coplay Public Library currently has an interim director.

Laroche received a bachelor’s degree in music recording technology in 2005 from Lebanon Valley College. She continued her education at Moravian University for her music teaching certificate. She also holds a master’s degree in library and information science, which she received in December 2020, from the University of Illinois.

A priority for Laroche, when she started at the Northampton library, was to fill the children’s librarian position. Tessa Gattullo began Feb. 28, and Laroche said she was excited to have this role active again as the job has needed filling for a while.

“She’s looking forward to the summer reading (program) so much,” Laroche said of Gattullo. “I’m really glad I was able to fill [the position] and get someone who has library experience and experience with children.”

Gattullo immediately started planning the summer reading program at the library, Laroche mentioned, as there is a lot of work that goes into putting together a few months’ worth of events and activities. Once the planning for the summer program is underway, Gattullo will add on other events, such as regular storytimes for children.

Another priority for Laroche is to “revamp the juvenile biographies … to diversify what’s available, so the kids in the area, no matter who they are, can see themselves represented in the collection of biographies.”

Laroche added the library just received a small grant to succeed in this goal.

A third focus for Laroche is better utilizing the space in the library. She mentioned the library is hurting on space for books. Even with weeding through books, she said, the library still needs more room. Laroche is thinking of shuffling things around so better usage of space can be attained for the materials.

Another possibility, long term, is constructing a new facility, purchasing land to build or creating a second level at the current site, located at 1615 Laubach Ave., Northampton.

Laroche’s enthusiasm for libraries, books, reading and patrons is evident.

“I really love the people, whether that’s patrons or staff,” Laroche said. “I just really like the ability to work collaboratively, especially with things like programming. Even as director, I get to do some of that still because in other bigger areas, other bigger libraries, other systems, that’s not really what a director does. But I still get to have a little bit of that while doing my other day-to-day duties, such as grants, paperwork and making sure everyone gets paid.”

On the other hand, what she as well as some other directors face as a challenge is acquiring funding.

“This isn’t necessarily true in every area, but in certain parts of Pennsylvania, it’s definitely true, and that’s funding, making sure that we get our funding from the places that it’s coming from,” Laroche said. “There are times when different places might not want to give at the per capita that they were in the past. One of my jobs is to advocate with the townships, school boards and boroughs and say, ‘We are trying to offer all of this to the community - can we get a little help here?’

“But at the same time, advocacy can be great,” she added.

Laroche explained how grateful Bath Borough Council members were that she came to a recent board meeting to introduce herself as the new Northampton library director, to detail all the events, activities and programs and to ask them what the needs are of Bath Borough residents in regard to library services.

“Anytime that I can come out to you, please let me know,” she told council members.

“One of the perks of being library director is that I don’t usually have to work on a Saturday, but if there’s an event that Bath needs me for on a Saturday, I will go. I will be there,” Laroche added.

Some of those events may be storytimes at the upcoming Bath Farmers Market season, Laroche mentioned.

Another topic Laroche discussed with council is getting a book mobile to help cover the wide range of land in Northampton Area School District.

“The location (of the library) is relatively convenient because the schools are right here, for the most part … so if you had a kid in the [district], you’ve been in the complex before. You know where the library is, right down the street from the community pool and Municipal Park,” Laroche said. “So it is a great location, especially for the borough and the school district. But as far as the people who live farther away, in Bath or Moore or Lehigh townships, it would be nice to have a book mobile that goes to them at a more convenient location.”

But all of these ideas - the summer reading program materials, additional space in the library or a new library, the book mobile - are not free. Grants, funding, in-kind contributions, monetary donations, fundraisers, etc., are needed to achieve these initiatives to better serve the residents of Northampton and beyond.

Laroche listed some of the upcoming events for various ages at the Northampton library, including themed take-home crafts and kits for children, teens and adults, a recipe swap for adults, “An Hour to Kill” virtual event for adults and an author program on the book “Life Before Seatbelts.”

The library is also planning a trip to see the “Harry Potter” exhibit at The Franklin Institute May 13. Plus, keep an eye on library news for details on an event for Harry Potter’s birthday, which is in July.

The theme of this summer’s reading program is “Oceans of Possibilities.” The Northampton library surely has its own ocean of possibilities, to which Laroche conveyed how excited she is to be able to expand upon its already extensive list of opportunities, resources, events and programs.

If you have never been to the library, Laroche said there is so much more to it than just picking out books. If you want to meet new people, there are many programs to join; if you need computer or Internet access, the library has it; if you’re looking for audio or visual entertainment, Laroche or a librarian can help find what interests you; free guest passes are available for ancestry.com research; and the list goes on and on.

Want to know of a great way to support the library? Sign up for a library card, Laroche stressed. You do not have to be a Northampton County resident to do so. If you have a home library card from another county, you can sign up.

“I am really excited to be here. The staff here at Northampton (library) is great. It’s great to work with them, they’re so collaborative and they’ve got great ideas. The (library) board is also great,” Laroche said. “And I’m willing to listen to whatever the municipalities need, whatever the school district needs, whatever the communities think should be part of the library. I’m willing to listen to and try to make this library into what the communities want it to be.

“It’s a whole other opportunity for me, and the people I’m with are great. Every patron I’ve had come in is great and has been welcoming. I’m glad to be in this community,” Laroche said.