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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Medfield prides itself on a fantastic library, with a huge selection of books and media, phenomenal activities, and a caring staff. One of the people who makes the Medfield Public Library such a treasured place is the director, Kristen Chin, known as Kris around the library. As much as she adores Medfield and the community, Chin will be leaving her post as library director in October.
Kris’s interest in libraries first began when she had children of her own. Formerly holding a management position in the business world, she left the position to care for her children.
The local library became a frequent stop for them.
“I started taking my children to the library and one day, I went to the director and asked if there was any positions open on the Board of Trustees,” said Kris, who was inspired by the director at her local library. “She said, ‘No, but there’s an opening at the circulation desk that I think you’d be perfect for.’ And so I applied and then I ended up going back to school,” she added.
After working in Rhode Island as a children’s librarian, reference librarian, and a director, Kris found herself looking for a new role as library director elsewhere. She found Medfield and simply adored the charm of the library and the community it served. In 2015, she assumed the role of Medfield’s library director. “We had to do some kind of creative things right off the bat,” Kris said. As director, she oversaw and contributed to revamping the website and signs for the library, worked on some of the infrastructure and put in the Friends bookstore, and the new “makerspace” in the basement of the library, which will house a 3D printer, tabletop looms, vinyl cutters, and other crafting items.
It was not originally in her plans to leave the Medfield Public Library. However, with the idea of being closer to home and her retirement in mind, when Kris heard of an opening for a library director near her home in Rhode Island, it was an opportunity she could not pass up.
While the commute and future plans will surely be easier with her new positions, Kris will miss the amazing staff at the Medfield Library. “They’re just the best and it’s really hard to leave them,” she said.
Kris is also very appreciative of the community’s dedication to the library and will miss seeing them each day. “It’s just a really engaged community and there’s so many community groups, it’s almost mind-boggling,” she laughs. “They just really care about Medfield and the town’s culture. And they’re so supportive of the library.”
While Medfield is sad to see Kris leaving the library, the community is wishing her the best in her new position and will be sending her bittersweet goodbyes and heartfelt thank-yous as she gets ready to embark on a new adventure.
