By Grace Allen

Kim Shipala has been on the job as the Fiske Library’s director for over a year now, but she was no stranger to the town’s library system when she started in her role. She grew up in Wrentham and counts the library as one of her favorite places in town, especially as a child. She even has an old newspaper clipping with a photo of her at a story hour at the Fiske, when it was located at what’s now known as the Old Fiske Museum on East St.

“It was my goal, once I became a librarian, to become the director here,” said Shipala. “I really wanted to bring this place up to speed and give Wrentham the library it deserves.”

After graduating from King Philip High School, Shipala attended Emerson College. In her freshmen year, she got a work-study job in the school’s library and found she really enjoyed the work. After graduating in 1995 with a degree in communications and media studies, Shipala worked a few non-library jobs before deciding to switch careers and become a librarian. She then went back to school and got a master’s degree in library and information science from Simmons College. 

From there, Shipala embarked on a career that has included roles such as young adolescent services librarian, assistant reference librarian, and most recently, deputy library director at the Franklin Public Library. 

Shipala, 51, says she has several short and long-term goals for the Fiske. In the near future, she’d like to increase the library’s hours, specifically to open four nights a week instead of the current two nights a week. She’d also like to add more staff, with an eye towards expanding night and weekend programming. Another short-term goal is to improve technology at the Fiske, which she says is behind other libraries in the area. 

“We’ve made some advances, but there’s still more to be done,” she said, noting that museum passes and reservations for study and meeting rooms are now available online. 

Long-term goals include a bigger book budget, as well as new furniture, shelving, and other materials. Shipala is also looking at ways to make the library spaces more flexible, ensuring the Fiske will evolve with the needs of its patrons. Libraries, she says, often serve as community centers and need to be welcoming in a variety of ways. 

Another challenge is getting more patrons in the door. 

“People are really used to not finding what they’re looking for here,” she said. “They’ll go to Franklin or Foxboro, but we hope that by doing our best work--building the collection, building on our programming—people will come.” 

Shipala credits two people in particular as mentors. One is Leslie Page, the director of the Woonsocket Harris Public Library. Shipala served as assistant director under Page for 12 years before going to Franklin. 

“Leslie really took me under her wing and involved me in all parts of library administration, from creating the budget to attending city council meetings and library networking meetings,” said Shipala. “She is one of the smartest people I ever met.”

More recently, Steve Butzel, who was the interim director at the Fiske after director Mary Tobichuk retired in 2023, was instrumental as Shipala stepped into her new role. She says Butzel, also a leadership coach for library and non-profit heads, helped her hone her leaderships skills as well as guide her in budget planning.

Shipala says instilling a love of reading in children and adults is paramount to her role as director. For children, she suggests letting them choose what interests them or offering suggestions based on other activities they may be engaged in. 

“Whatever it is, graphic novels, comic books, if it gets them to read, then that’s a win.”

As for adults, she says reading can be considered a mini vacation for the mind.

“In these tumultuous times, who doesn’t want to take a break from reality and get lost in a book?” she mused.

Shipala’s own reading choices span many genres, but she admits to a fondness for the classics. Her favorite author is Jane Austen, and “Pride and Prejudice” is her favorite book of all time. Currently, she is reading “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker, which just came out and is already receiving rave reviews.

She also started a book club at the Fiske and is actively seeking patrons to join her and grow the group, noting she ran popular books clubs at both the Woonsocket and Franklin libraries.

As for hobbies, Shipala is getting back into music, hoping to join a community concert band as a flutist. While in high school, she was part of the award-winning music program at King Philip, and recently became treasurer of the KP Music Association. 

Shipala, who lives in Wrentham with her husband and daughter, is a descendent of one of the town’s original founders, Samuel Fisher. Her family has lived in Wrentham for over 100 years. It’s clear her commitment to Wrentham, and the Fiske, runs deep. 

“I am actively seeking to improve the library, and I welcome feedback, positive or negative,” Shipala said. “The library is for the community. And while we may live a lot of our lives online, there is still a desire for traditional services. We all want and need a place to interact in person with each other, and the library can help with that. So call me or send me an email. Let me know what you need from the Fiske, and I’ll try to make it happen.”