By Anthony Coelho
Observer Correspondent
Last Wednesday, Bloomfield Public Library hosted a welcome reception for their newly appointed director, Adele Puccio. Residents enjoyed baked goods and other refreshments and some one-on-one time with Puccio in a comfortable setting.
Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., Puccio moved to Bayonne after attending Rutgers University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English in 1992, and her Master of Library Sciences in 1994. She then went on to work several librarian jobs in South River, Woodbridge, and Hoboken from 1994 to 2005.
Puccio is no stranger to the director’s position, or the town of Bloomfield. She worked as the supervising librarian for Bloomfield Public Library from May 2005 to January 2010, before being hired as director at Rose Memorial Library in Stony Point, N.Y.
After an 18-month stay in Stony Point, Puccio then took on the job of director for the Caldwell Public Library.
“I was very much involved with the community of Caldwell,” Puccio said, “developing programs with the local college as well as after-school programs for the elementary schools, too.”
Adele Puccio takes stock of her new surroundings at Bloomfield Public Library.
Puccio—who is now making $85,000 annually as Bloomfield Public Library’s new director—is focused on bringing a handful of changes to the table that would further benefit the library’s current state. “I want to organize a foundation that will financially support the library with fundraisers, and establish a strong partnership with Bloomfield College,” Puccio said. “I also want to work on developing and expanding the staff.” The library recently suffered a series of layoffs in 2012, as a result of a budget crunch. Puccio hopes to acquire capital funding that would be applied to the repair of two library buildings that date back to 1920 and 1960 (which suffer from roof damage, HVAC system failure, and a broken elevator).
“It would be extremely beneficial, not only for the library, but for the community as a whole,” Puccio said.
Puccio hopes to settle in as as director at Bloomfield Public Library for the duration. With her new approach, familiarity with the area, and plethora of experience, she seems to be the perfect fit.
“Bloomfield feels like home and I’m really glad to be back. I don’t see myself relocating anywhere else, anytime soon.”
