Kim Shipala has been hired as the new director of the Fiske Public Library and began her new role on May 30.

She is responsible for overseeing and managing a wide spectrum of programs, services and resources at the library. She will also oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility and staff.

Shipala, a long-time resident of Wrentham, grew up attending story times at the Fiske Public Library and continued to patronize the library throughout her teen years. Shipala’s love for libraries shifted into a profession when she began her career in library services as a work-study student in the Library Director’s Office at Emerson College in 1992.

She then went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Emerson College before receiving a master’s degree in library and information science from Simmons College.

Over the span of her 30-year career, Shipala has held several positions within libraries. Most recently, she served as the deputy library director at the Franklin Public Library since 2015. In this role, she was responsible for adult programming and started the English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program.

Prior to serving as the deputy library director, she also worked as an assistant library director, young adolescent services librarian, assistant librarian and assistant reference librarian.

“We would like to welcome Kim to Wrentham and the Fiske Public Library,” Town Administrator Kevin Sweet said in a statement. “Her extensive years of dedicated library service brings an abundance of knowledge and a fresh perspective to our library services. We look forward to seeing the work she’ll accomplish. “

Outside of work, Shipala has been an active member of the Wrentham community, serving on both the Historical Commission and Community Preservation Committee for many years.

The search committee, led by Assistant Town Administrator/Director of Human Resources Greg Enos, included Interim Library Director Steve Butzel, Library Trustees Chair Suzanne Bove and Library Trustee Judy Brown. The Committee conducted several interviews and unanimously recommended Shipala as the candidate to lead the Fiske Library into the future.