Ms. Sunnie Scarpa, the current Head of Children’s Services at the Wallingford Public Library (WPL), will be leaving her post at the end of February. Throughout her time at the WPL, she has fostered partnerships between Choate and the Wallingford community.
Ms. Scarpa began working at the WPL in May of 2013. Even while growing up, she knew that she wanted to work in a library. “I have loved libraries ever since I was just a little bookworm,” she explained.
Ms. Scarpa began volunteering at her local library when she was eight years old, and, when she began to think about college and career paths, she knew working as a librarian would be a great fit. “I love books, but I also really love helping people and that’s what being a librarian is all about,” she said.
As Head of Children’s Services, Ms. Scarpa supervises the three other librarians who run children’s programs, help families, and order new materials. “My time is often spent working on long-term projects, including budget oversight, grant administration, outreach activities, and strategic partnerships,” said Ms. Scarpa. These partnerships include Story Walks with the children of Wallingford and an event at which 200 community members spoke to astronauts living on the International Space Station.
Her ideas, however, do not stop there. “Another big project I’ve been dreaming of for years is our new Wonder Room. Fortunately, I’ll be here long enough to have all the plans for that space finished and I’ll be coming back in June for the grand opening!” she added. The Wonder Room will be a multi-purpose space in the Children’s Library for baby and toddler programs, as well as children’s programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. When it is not reserved for these programs, children will be able to work on projects and assignments in the Wonder Room.
After a maternity leave (she is expecting a baby in March), Ms. Scarpa will become the Library Director at the E. C. Scranton Memorial Library in Madison, Conn. Although sad about leaving, Ms. Scarpa explained that she is “excited to head up the team at the Madison library and bring some of the Wallingford library magic to the shoreline.” Ms. Scarpa also added that because she will continue to live in Wallingford, she can still keep in touch with the community as a library user.
Throughout her time at the WPL, Ms. Scarpa has created great relationships with the staff and community members she sees frequently. She explained that they have been “an amazing example of what can be accomplished when adults work together to benefit young people and families.”
Ms. Scarpa will miss the families she’s gotten to know who consider the library their second home. She explained, “I have a big box full of sweet cards and pictures I’ve received from children over the years, and I am really going to miss all the smiles, hug, and high fives.”
