Susan Edmonds excelled at building relationships, first-class service

July brings major changes to the Milford Town Library as longtime director Susan Edmonds retires. 

Harmony Birch, a Massachusetts native, who comes from the Canarsie Library in Brooklyn, New York, will be the next director.

Edmonds came to Milford in 2008 from the State Library of Massachusetts. During her tenure in Milford, she served a term as President of the Board of CWMARS [Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing, a library consortium] from 2013 through 2014 and President of the New England Library Association from 2018-2019.

Among Edmonds’ most important achievements are the strong relationships the library built and maintained with other town departments and organizations, collaborating with the Youth Center, Senior Center, and the Friends of the Milford Town Library to offer book groups and other programs and events. 

Edmonds is especially proud of the service the library staff provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Milford Town Library was one of the first in the Commonwealth to reopen, and to provide full service, with appropriate modifications, including curbside pickup. Sue gives full credit to the staff members who are the backbone of the library service. 

As for the future, Edmonds is looking forward to taking the summer off to relax and contemplate plans going forward. “I’m going to miss it, but I’m looking forward to the new chapter. I wish Harmony the best in this new part of her career.”

Submitted by Milford Town Library