Our Librarians

Administration

Kiera Parrott

Kiera Parrott

Director

Kiera is a lifelong learner and true believer in the transformational power of the public library. She enjoys reading twisty psychological thrillers, historical fiction, and social science, watching "Jeopardy," collaborating on the Sunday puzzle with her husband and listening to Hall & Oates at every opportunity.

Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla

Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla

Deputy Director

Elisabeth is an avid genre reader: fantasy, science fiction, horror, mysteries, and romance. She can talk for hours about the many scandals of European royal families, classic children's literature, and pop culture. 

Bree Marsden

Bree Marsden

HR Manager

A proud bibliophile and veteran of the entertainment industry, Bree enjoys traveling to Ireland and spending as much time as possible outdoors with her family and their ridiculously small miniature Greyhound. She loves children's literature and illustration, memoirs, and true stories of extreme survival. One of her goals in life is to teach her daughter that the live concert version is ALWAYS better than the studio recording.

Melissa Noonan

Melissa Noonan

Development Coordinator

Melissa is an avid reader who loves to lose herself in historical fiction and introspective coming-of-age stories. She originally hails from the South but has learned to love the changing seasons of New England, where she searches in vain for proper southern grits.

Adult Programming & Community Engagement

Pat Sheary

Pat Sheary

Head of Adult Programming

Pat is not only an insatiable reader and huge Anglophile, she loves to travel and do needlework. Ask Pat where she is going next! She’ll be happy to tell you!

Amanda DeMaio

Amanda DeMaio

Adult Programmer

Amanda loves reading about far away adventures, crafting, and always makes time for a coming of age novel. If you are ever putting together a cheese plate or are looking for an electric kazoo performance, Amanda to the rescue!

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Jane Frazier

Adult Programmer

Jane Frazier is our Hostess with the Mostess, resident Francophile, and Michigan sports fanatic. When she’s not welcoming you to one of our library programs, you can find her swimming laps at the YMCA or baking her famous chocolate chip cookies.

Joanne Gabriel

Joanne Gabriel

Adult Programmer

Joanne loves all things nature-oriented, and really enjoys producing gardening programs at the Library. In her spare time, she is into cooking, horticultural therapy, and reading the latest book group book. Joanne grew up in Darien.

Kathleen Millard

Kathleen Millard

Adult Author Programming

Kathleen is a fiction reader with a sprinkling of non-fiction and thrillers. She is focused on author events and is always interested in connecting amazing writers with an audience of readers. The best author events enrich your life and pique your curiosity. Fine arts, gardening, cooking, travel, and wellness round out her days. She loves Darien Library and their amazing team!

Annette Madden-Kline

Annette Madden-Kline

Adult Programmer

When she’s not spending time with her four children, Annette loves open water swimming, cycling, reading, needlepoint, and flower arranging (although not at the same time!)

Children's Services

Claire Moore Salgado

Claire Moore Salgado

Head of Children’s Services

Claire is a beach lover who looks forward to playing tennis when the sun it out. She is huge fan of graphic novels and middle-grade realistic fiction. When she is not reading or listening to audiobooks, you can find her shedding tears over the latest "Modern Love" podcast or "Bluey" episode. 

Samantha Cardone

Samantha Cardone

Assistant Head of Children’s Services and Program Coordinator

Samantha is a strong believer that every art project needs more glitter. She enjoys reading historical fiction, mysteries, and whimsical graphic novels. Outside of the Library, she likes to write, visit art museums, and listen to K-pop.

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Eileen D'Andrea

Children's Library Assistant

Eileen is an avid reader who always has at least 10 books on her hold list. A natural-born communicator, she loves to read stories, tell stories, and listen to people's stories. When she's not reading on her front porch, she can usually be found spending too much time on Instagram, walking her dog, or taking pictures at the beach. 

María E. Magallanes

María E. Magallanes

Children's Library Assistant

María is an art lover! If she is not at the Library, she loves to paint! And play with her two dogs and her cat. Her favorite reading genre is historical fiction.

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Erica Melnichok

Children's Library Assistant

Erica's love for children's literature first led to her career in book publishing, where she delighted in meeting authors and librarians. Historical fiction remains her favorite genre since her days reading Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie. But Sci-Fi Fantasy is a close second all thanks to A Wrinkle in Time and Harry Potter. There is also always room on her TBR pile for psychological thrillers and romance novels.  

Carrie Shaurette

Carrie Shaurette

Children’s Collection Development Coordinator

Carrie reads across many genres and age groups, but she particularly likes books that make her laugh, cry, or think about things from a different perspective. As an avid sports fan, you can often find her cheering on the Rangers and the Mets.

Alison Schwartz

Alison Schwartz

Early Literacy and Outreach Coordinator

Alison is a natural entertainer who has been singing since she was old enough to talk. You can often find her having the time of her life with her raven puppet Fable at storytime. Funny picture books are her favorite! She is an Anglophile and an old soul who can't get enough of horror films, historical non-fiction books, and true crime documentaries. 

Knowledge & Learning Services

Brittany Netherton

Brittany Netherton

Head of Knowledge and Learning Services

Brittany is a big believer in the healing power of a good laugh. A New England transplant who is very proud of her Appalachian roots, she can work Kentucky into any conversation if you give her long enough. She's always down to chat about comics, banned books, and Kentucky (see, I told you!). Outside of work, she lives her best life hiking, gardening, thrifting, and working on puzzles and embroidery projects.

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Blanche Parker

Assistant Head of Knowledge & Learning Services

Blanche likes to spend her vacation time in her hometown where she grew up in North Carolina.

Maria Banke

Maria Banke

Senior Technology Assistant

Maria joined the Help Desk team after several decades as an IT professional in the financial industry. A long-time Darien resident, Maria spends her spare time volunteering for local organizations, sharing her wealth of IT knowledge!

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Halina Hollyway

Knowledge and Learning Assistant

Halina has a Masters in Psychology and is currently completing a Master's degree in Library and Information Science. She has over 20 years of experience teaching college-level Psychology, Statistics, ESL, and Career Development. Halina has a love of research and creative problem solving, loves languages (she speaks 7 currently), international travel, art, and plays chess every day. She enjoys reading mysteries, historical fiction, and poetry. However, as a lifelong learner herself, what gives her the most satisfaction is when she can help someone learn something they didn’t believe they could.

Ali O'Brien

Ali O'Brien

Knowledge and Learning Assistant

Ali has a multitude of hobbies and has tried just about every kind of craft conceived. She’s happy to offer advice and book recommendations for your next creative adventure. 

Sarah Faeth

Sarah Faeth

Knowledge and Learning Assistant

Sarah is a geriatric millennial raised on Roald Dahl and Radiohead. An omnivorous reader, her Library wishlist spans neuroscience to thrillers--ask her what's on it! 

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Kathleen Fieffe

Knowledge and Learning Assistant

Kathleen loves documentaries, letterpress stationery and letter writing; doughnuts and ALL food. She also listens to public radio programming and podcasts. Ask her what she's listening to now!

Mary-Beth Mason

Mary-Beth Mason

Knowledge & Learning Services Librarian

Mary-Beth enjoys learning and sharing technology in computer classes and tech help sessions. Her favorite reads include almost everything in Body & Soul, suspenseful thrillers, and the classics. She enjoys hiking, live music, and being by the shore.

Kristen Orth

Kristen Orth

Knowledge and Learning Services Librarian

Kristen is enthusiastic about people and building community. Her reading interests include weird facts, sweeping narratives, and emotionally devastating poetry. Outside of the Library, you can find her working on overly-ambitious craft projects or basking in the sunlight.

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Alice Schaumann

Knowledge and Learning Assistant

Growing up visiting her local library helped Alice develop a love for reading, and today she can usually be found absorbed in a mystery, a family saga, or any other novel with a dynamic cast of characters. Outside of the Library, she enjoys cooking, throwing pottery, and playing games with friends and family.

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Caitlin Stote

Knowledge and Learning Assistant

Caitlin has been working part time at Darien Library since 2007. The Library is her sanctuary. 

Slim Jim

Slim Jim

Reference Skeleton

As the Library's premier Reference Skeleton, Slim Jim is always ready to lend his phalanges to patrons! He loves helping nursing students learn the skeletal system and serving as a model for artists. His hobbies include being an influencer on Instagram, waving to our youngest visitors, and exchanging postcards with his pen pals.

Facilities

Erik Henderson

Erik Henderson

Head of Facilities

Erik hails from the Southside of Chicago and firmly believes that it's the best city in the world. He loves learning about railroad systems, urban development, and people's life journeys. In his free time, Erik enjoys reading, bowling, biking, and lifting heavy weights. You can find him checking out local breweries or watching sports, especially Da Bears!

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Esther Bittker

Materials Management Shelver

Esther is a native Darienite and a sophomore at Darien High School. She's had a passion for reading since a young age, being an avid patron of Darien Library for over a decade. Her favorite genres are realistic fiction, historical fiction, and the occasional cheesy romance. Outside of the Library she is a passionate student involved in a variety of clubs, with a love for summer weather, nature, baking, as well as any and every dog. 

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Cathy Condren

Materials Management Shelver

Cathy is a retired lawyer with two grown children and she lives in Darien with her husband, dog and cat. She enjoys reading literary fiction, memoirs, legal thrillers, detective mysteries and cookbooks. She also loves spending time with people she loves, bird-watching, animals, volunteering, and road trips.

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Joshua Estime

Materials Management Shelver

Joshua is a recent college graduate that truly wants to make a difference in this world. He looks up to Jesus Christ and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., individuals that not only stood up for their beliefs, but for the marginalized, as well. Joshua enjoys doing research on the topics of masculinity, nutrition, and male mental health. He also likes memoirs!

Dina Giordano

Dina Giordano

Materials Management Shelver

Dina loves animals, books, and travel - oh my! Her favorite place to be is on the seashore reading a mystery novel. 

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Jo Gleeson

Materials Management Shelver

Jo is a retired middle school teacher who is trading YA literature for historical fiction and novels. She enjoys biking, baking, long walks, and discovering new places.

Juan Juarez

Juan Juarez

Custodian

Juan is a dedicated and reliable custodian experienced in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in various facilities. His work as a custodian utilizes his skills to provide a safe and sanitized environment for staff and visitors. And when he’s not at the Library, he loves spending time with his wife and two sons anywhere in the city of New York.

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Kim Kennedy

Materials Management Shelver

Kim is a local mom who spends a lot of her time chauffeuring her two teenagers around town and cheering them on at their activities. She enjoys reading memoirs but is easily distracted by any interior design book or cookbook. She also serves on the executive board of the Darien Historical Society, is a traditional calligrapher, tea drinker, and manages her beloved Yorkie’s Instagram account.

Alexis Pensiero

Alexis Pensiero

Materials Management Shelver

Playing volleyball year-round takes up a lot of Alexis’ time, but she also enjoys long walks with her dog, going to the gym, reading all types of graphic novels, and all things animals. 

Vic Pensiero

Victor Pensiero

Building Engineer

Vic keeps our library building in shape. As the former Chief Plumber for the Darien school district and current Chief of the Darien Fire Department, Vic is always ready to serve.

Kerry Pirone

Kerry Pirone

Materials Management Shelver

Kerry is a busy lady with her family, her dog, a soft-coated Wheaton terrier, her love of babysitting, and most of all, her library. Kerry is an avid audiobook user “reading” all sorts of genres but mostly thrillers and mysteries. 

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MJ Quinn

Materials Management Shelver

MJ is a literary fiction writer, retired attorney, and active genealogist (proud of Neanderthal ancestry). His broad educational background includes degrees from Schiller International University, Weber State University, and New York Law School. Culinary interests feature schnitzel, chicken curry, borsch (potato not cabbage), and rhubarb — but not all together. He enjoys good science fiction video and mystery writing but is unpredictably selective.

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Emma Van Arnam

Materials Management Shelver

Emma is a Mitchell College graduate who loves fantasy and fairy tale books, friends, and family above all else and aspires to be an author one day. When her nose is not stuck in a book, she likes to write reviews on Goodreads, take walks, and spend time with the ones she loves. 

A longtime lover of fantasy, fairy tales, and Disney.

Readers' Advisory Services

Virginia Grubbs

Virginia Grubbs

Head of Reader Services

Virginia's favorite genres include thrillers and suspense, mysteries, general fiction, chick-lit and young adult books featuring a dystopian society. Aside from books, she also loves movies and suspenseful TV series. She's a proud Texan enjoying life in Connecticut.

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Ann

Readers' Advisor

Ann appreciates literary fiction that evokes place and time with well-developed characters. She is also a fan of historical fiction, thrillers, and memoirs. 

Barbara Blake

Barbara "Babs" Blake

Readers' Advisor

Babs can't get enough of Historical Fiction-it just transports her back to that period in time and she loves it! She also has to mention that her 12-year-old grandson just devours books which makes her deliriously happy!

Jill Maguire

Jill Maguire

Readers' Advisor

Jill loves chatting with patrons about their latest reads! While she gravitates toward new fiction dramas, she enjoys a wide range of genres. An avid learner, she is always open to sharing her love of reading, diverse interests, and commitment to community engagement.

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Sarah-Ruth Tasko

Readers' Advisor

Sarah-Ruth is a librarian who loves contemporary fiction, horror, queer literature, and poetry. She enjoys exploring New England with family, hiking, hanging out with her cat, and listening to audiobooks while doing jigsaw puzzles. 

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Inger Vilter

Readers' Advisor

Inger is an avid reader, loves to knit, and to travel! Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Pat Tone

Pat Tone

Readers' Advisor

Pat is a big fan of audiobooks and is always happy to show people how easy it is to download a good audiobook from the digital content on Overdrive and Hoopla. A good narrator and a great story are the perfect pairings for a delightful listening experience! When she is not working at the Library, she is baking, gardening, or playing with her grand-dogs!

Tween & Teen Services

Mia Orobona

Mia Orobona

Head of Tween and Teen Services

Mia is our resident teen wrangler. When she is not at the Library, she spends a lot of her time trying to find the best ice cream in Connecticut, going on real runs and Target runs, and of course, reading books. She’s open to reading anything but is most fond of YA realistic fiction and graphic novels with strong female characters.

Jenna Mushin

Jenna Mushin

McGraw Family Librarian

Jenna is a new professional librarian ready to take on Teen Services! She loves to read horror, graphic novels, and any queer romance story, but will read anything from most genres. When not at the Library, she enjoys singing, playing the ukulele, watching TV shows, and playing with her dog, Darwin, and her cat, Luna. She also can speak Mandarin Chinese at an intermediate level.

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Nicole Versanti

Teen Services Assistant

Nicole is a Teen Services Assistant and considers herself to be a classic nerd. She loves to play Dungeons & Dragons, attend comic cons, and talk TV shows, movies, and books. In her free time, she loves to travel and read on the beach or play with her dog Bella. 

User Experience & Technology

Amanda L. Goodman

Amanda L. Goodman

Head of UX and Technology

Amanda is a librarian who loves mountains, genealogy, and fandom. She wants to travel the world—after she finishes this story.

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Megan Cunningham

Library Marketer

Megan is a voracious book dragon with a love for all things fantasy and archaeology. When she’s not curled up in a Halloween sweater with her favorite book, you can find her crafting, writing, or exploring the Great Outdoors. (Don’t tell anyone, but we suspect she’s actually a magical sword-swinging warrior from another dimension.)

Craig Gates

Craig Gates

Systems Administrator

Craig is a fan of true crime and mystery books. He also enjoys spending time with his dogs and riding his motorcycles.

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