This article was submitted on behalf of the Demarest Public Library Board of Trustees.
The Demarest Free Public Library Board of Trustees is proud to announce the selection of new Demarest Library Director Parinda Desai.
Desai, a resident of Parsippany in Morris County, has extensive experience in library administration and management. She will join Demarest from Denville Public Library, where she served as an information services librarian for more than four years and facilitated and led outreach programs, including book clubs for seniors and community holiday celebrations.
Within the Morris Automated Information Network (MAIN), a consortium of 38 public libraries located in Morris, Somerset and Warren counties, Desai also served as the co-chair of the MAIN DigiTech Committee.
Earlier in her career, Parinda was a teacher and then a school media specialist in various schools. Parinda has a master’s in library science from Long Island University and holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English literature.
After Edna Ortega—who had served as director of the Demarest Free Public Library for 47 years—officially retired on July 1, Interim Director Cindy Czesak was hired to facilitate daily operations. Czesak is the former acting executive director of BCCLS, the Bergen County Cooperative Library System and served as director of the Paterson public libraries for 17 years.
Simultaneously, the Demarest Library Board of Trustees began the search for a replacement.
“Our Library has the potential to be both an anchor and a heart center of community building and learning in our small town,” Board of Trustees President Sandhya Nankani, notes. “As the Board of Trustees looked forward to 2020, a year when we will revise our strategic plan, our trustees knew that what we needed was a new director whose vision, innovation, and personal touch could help shape the future of our cherished community institution. We are excited about the experience, both as an educator and librarian, that Parinda will bring to the table at this important moment in the library’s future.”
Czesak is excited about the possibilities available to the library under Desai’s leadership as well.
“The Demarest Public Library Board and staff are embracing the evolution of public libraries, moving from simple warehouses of materials to becoming the center of the community,” said Czesak. “With the addition of Parinda as the new library director, I feel confident that the Demarest community can anticipate increased resources and programming, with the library becoming the true heart of the community.”
According to Desai she is excited about the opportunities within the Demarest community.
“I am elated to serve as the next director of The Demarest Public Library,” said Desai. “I look forward to working closely with the library staff and Board of Trustees. I am particularly excited about expanding technological applications and bringing diverse programming to the library. Moreover, I am enthusiastic about the prospect of collaborating with public schools and other local organizations to enhance the library’s value proposition. I am eager to spread the message that local libraries are more than a collection of books, magazines and other media. I look forward to leading the Demarest Public Library in its journey to become the premiere information source.”
The Demarest Free Public Library Board of Trustees has planned an open house on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. for a community meet and greet with its new director. Consult the calendar of events at www.demarestlibrary.org for additional information.
“We hope you can join us in welcoming Parinda to the Demarest community!” the board said in a statement.