Susie Molloy

by Lynne Ober

The energetic, creative force behind special programs and events in Pelham’s Public Library is Susie Molloy, a thirteen year Pelham resident. While many children and parents know and enjoy all the special programs offered, few know the woman behind the scenes.

Susie has been involved in education for years. As an elementary education teacher for sixteen years, Susie is well acquainted with needs of young children and has all the qualifications needed to develop programs to meet those needs.

“I love teaching,” she smiled, “but I stop and start as my family needs me. Right now I’m working seventeen hours a week at the library and doing some substitute teaching. I guess just to keep my hand in.”

Susie and her husband, who heads the Security and Police Department at Boston University, have three children.

Their oldest son, twenty-two, will graduate from Boston University this spring and wants to be an elementary education teacher. “He went to Australia to do his student teaching,” stated Susie.

Their youngest son is a sophomore at Boston University. “Where else?” laughed Susie. “He’s studying communications.

Then there is the “baby”. She’s five years old and very lively. “I love telling people that I have three children with the same father,” said Susie, with a wide smile and twinkling eyes. “You know what they immediately think when they hear the ages of my children.”

With each child, Susie has taken time off from teaching in order to stay home. “I wouldn’t even think about teaching full-time until our youngest is at least in second grade,” she said.

The Molloys, like many parents, have taken their children to the library – both for books and for activities. After one story hour, Susie was helping the Librarian clean up the area. “I was surprised when she told me they were looking for a children’s programming coordinator and urged me to apply,” she stated.

After thinking about it, she did apply and the rest, as they say, is history. In April 2005 she will complete her second year. “I love the work. It’s right up my alley.”

When she started in the position, it was funded for ten hours a week. “It does take a lot of time to set up the programs and then get them off the ground,” she smiled. Apparently everyone realized that and also realized how good the programming was under her guidance because her position has been increased to seventeen hours a week.

Susie has a quick grin and infectious laugh. At a recent program, children were very comfortable and engaged in the event. She worked hard to make sure that all the little details that make a program successful were completed.

During this past Christmas vacation week, the library offered four different programs. Book Bingo was a favorite with all ages of children and Sticky Fingers was a happy event for pre-schoolers.

Even though she’d been in elementary education all of her adult life, Susie loves to learn. “After I took the position, I attended a couple of conferences. They gave me some ideas that I could use and expand on for Pelham children,” she noted.

While most of the programs do require registration, she’s started a Drop In Story Time on Saturdays. “Parents asked for this. They don’t always want all of their children’s time scheduled and this allowed us to offer a more flexible program. It’s been very successful.”

Asked what hobbies she regularly pursues, Susie smiled, “Besides running around behind an active five year old and keeping up with the older family members?”

Winter registration is still on-going at the library. If you have an idea for a program, let Susie know. She’s always looking to expand. Have you met Susie Molloy.