Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The Guilderland Public Library’s new director starts on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and he brings with him a lifetime of experience as a librarian, author, and educator.

Tim Wiles, Guilderland resident for more than three years, accepted the library’s board of trustees’ offer in December, even though it meant giving up what he’d thought was his dream job.

“I’m a life-long librarian, it’s what I love. And I am thrilled to take on this new challenge of ensuring the Guilderland Public Library is responsive to the community’s needs, but it was tough leaving the Hall.” Tim, a die-hard baseball fan, just resigned as Director of Research and Public Services Librarian for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

“I believe that an excellent public library is at the heart of an informed community. The Guilderland Public Library has long served as a center for education, entertainment and empowerment, and it serves that role well. But we live in an era of change for libraries, and the ways in which we, as consumers, gather information. Clearly, the library has the opportunity to expand its service through use of new technologies, programming, outreach, and social media. 

 “The prospect of leading the library through this era of change is exciting. But along with leading the organization from within, I also plan to be visible in town, to reach out to and listen to community groups and organizations, and to the voters and decision-makers of Guilderland. We are, after all, ‘Guilderland’s Gathering Place,’ and my goal is to make that true for everyone in town.”

Wiles’ wife, Dr. Marie Wiles, the superintendent of schools, and their son, Ben, are almost as pleased as Tim about the new position.  “Ben’s happy that his dad will be working close to home,” said Marie, “and Tim and I are thrilled to live in the same community that we serve.  It’s a great  opportunity for us.”

Author and educator

Tim’s freelance writing credits include two books: In 2008, he co-authored Baseball’s Greatest Hit: The Story of ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game.’ He was lead researcher and writer along with two co-authors. Not shy about public speaking, he appeared on over 200 television and radio shows to promote the book. 

Prior to that, he co-edited Line Drives: 100 Contemporary Baseball Poems. He’s had articles published in The New York Times, Major League Baseball’s World Series Program and All-Star Game Program, and other baseball-related publications.

Wiles spent a year in the People’s Republic of China as an English instructor at Guangxi University. He taught English to university faculty, students, and staff.

 Experience at the library

Since 2011, he has served as a Director of the Guilderland Library Foundation, and been its president for the past four months, so he has a fair understanding of the inner workings of the library. 

 “Serving on the Foundation, getting to know the professionals at the library, that made the opportunity all the more exciting for me,” he observed.  “I have worked with many of the staff; frankly, I cannot wait to get started.”

When asked what baseball team he rooted for, he replied, “Well, I did grow up in Illinois. So it’s the Cubs all the way.”

Library info

Please note that the library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Avenue. Visit the Library’s website at www.guilpl.org. Check out the unofficial library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library, and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib). It all starts at guilpl.org.