Marcela Peres Named as New LPL Director

Lewiston City Administrator Ed Barrett announced today (May 17, 2017) that Marcela Peres will replace long-time Lewiston Public Library Director Rick Speer who is retiring at the end of May.  Marcela is currently the City’s Adult Services Librarian and frequently fills in for the Director. 

Marcela is a Lewiston resident and has been a Library employee since 2012.  Prior to arriving in Lewiston, she served as the College Librarian for Southwest Florida College in Tampa, Florida where she oversaw all library operations.  Marcela holds a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.A. from Cornell University.  Marcela is active in a variety of Library associations, including the Maine Library Association, the New England Library Association, and the American Library Association.  She is a graduate of the New England Library Leadership Symposium, the Maine Library Leadership Institute, and the Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute.

Marcela was selected after a national search that attracted 25 applicants.  In addition to the City Administrator, members of the search committee included representatives of the Library Board of Trustees, the Friends of the Lewiston Public Library, and Betsy Pohl, the Lithgow Public Library Director.

According to City Manager, Ed Barrett, “Marcela rose to the top of the field on the basis of her knowledge of our library and our community, her vision for the library’s future, the work she has done to prepare herself for this position, and her enthusiasm.  As the hiring process moved forward, the members of the search committee became more and more convinced that she was the right candidate for the job.”  Darby Ray, Chair of the Trustees and a member of the search committee, added: “The combination of Marcela’s educational background, relevant experience, collaborative instincts, forward-looking vision for the library, and deep commitment to this community set her apart from other applicants. She is superbly qualified to lead the library into the future.”

Commenting on her selection, Marcela said: “I am honored and grateful to have the support of the City Administrator, Board of Trustees, library staff, and the many community members who participated in this selection process.  I look forward to leading the Lewiston Public Library into its next chapter and working to ensure its continued success as the heart of community learning and growth in Lewiston.”