Courtesy of Pine Plains Free Library
In April 2021, after coming to Pine Plains to work as library assistant in 2020, Alexis Tackett took over as director and head librarian of the Pine Plains Free Library. Her dynamic leadership helped the library building become a thriving center of activity in town. She oversaw a renovation of the children’s area to include a space to make things, introduced fiction and non-fiction book clubs, expanded story-time hours for kids, fostered library-sponsored events with The Stissing Center and on Community Day; and partnered with the Red Hook Community Center to create teen internship opportunities.
For the last two years Tackett has also worked with the library board to advocate for a sustainable budget. That hard work paid off on Nov. 7, when voters approved a nearly $67,000 increase in annual funding. But now, due to a family health emergency that requires her on-site help, Tackett has decided to move back to her native Texas and is resigning her position.
Courtesy of Pine Plains Free Library
“It’s never a convenient time for changes in administration,” said Tackett, who is a member of the Herald’s board of directors. Although she is disappointed that she won’t be here to implement the planned changes and improvements to the library, she is confident things will move ahead smoothly. “The budget initiative plans are all in process and are going into motion,” Tackett said. “It’s all still happening. The hours and days will be extended.”
Former library board president Beth McLiverty believes Tackett’s impact will be long-lasting. “Alexis brought amazing energy, enthusiasm, professionalism and warmth to our library and town,” McLiverty said. “Her contributions extended beyond the library and into the entire community. She will be missed tremendously.”
Since Tackett’s departure from Pine Plains, Annie Mallozzi, the library assistant, has assumed the role of interim manager. Tackett and Mallozzi confer frequently about issues that come up.
Molly Salisbury, a long-time children’s librarian, has taken on some hours and leads Saturday story time while staff member Mary Bowen is on leave. Samantha Moffett continues to conduct story time on Wednesday mornings. “Children and families are the biggest area libraries serve,” Tackett said, and with two part-time children’s librarians on staff, that demographic is being well served.
The library’s board will begin its search for a new director on Dec. 4. “The new person may have new perspectives, see areas where programming or services can expand,” Tackett said. “I was always so concerned with just keeping the library open.”
What qualities should the board look for? “We need creativity and vision,” Tackett said. “Someone energetic who identifies opportunities to expand into the community. Someone willing to integrate themselves into the community, to network with the community. Someone who understands how important the library is in a rural town.”
That sounds a lot like Tackett herself, who in her nearly four years here met every challenge with upbeat energy. Even now, despite having returned to Dallas—where she has become the director of a suburban library—Tackett will help in the hiring and training of her successor in Pine Plains. She will be on staff part-time through March. “I’m still available,” she said. “People can still email me or schedule an appointment and I will talk with them.”
Friends of the Library member Lois Lenehan said, “Alexis was a delight as our town librarian with her enthusiasm and kindness. She followed this with hard work. Her presence in the library brought energy and vision. I miss her very much.”
Tackett hopes to one day come back to the northeast. Meanwhile, as Keary Hanan, library board vice president, said, “Alexis brought much needed expertise to the Pine Plains Free Library. Her thoughtful approach paired with a desire to build a library that met the needs of the entire community was a gift to our town. While we wish her all the success in her new endeavor, we will miss her very much.”