A Greenville native with 30 years of service in libraries will become the new director of Sheppard Memorial Library later this month.
Roman Leary, director of Edgecombe County Memorial Library since 2009, is replacing Greg Needham, who is retiring after 15 years with Sheppard.
“Roman really impressed both the library staff and the trustees with his passion, expertise, and charm,” said Rick Smiley, library board of trustees chairman and a former Greenville city councilman.
“We are confident he will be an asset in our community and continue a long tradition of outstanding leadership,” Smiley said.
Leary was born in Greenville and grew up just outside of Washington, N.C. He attended East Carolina University and earned a master of library science from N.C. Central University in 2006.
“Leading Sheppard Memorial Library at this time in its history is a huge opportunity,” Leary said, “It’s already a widely regarded public library with an incredible staff and enthusiastic community support. My goal is to maintain and extend this tradition of excellence.”
During his time with Edgecombe County Memorial Library, Leary oversaw a substantial renovation of the main library and built a reputation for outstanding customer service and prudent financial management.
“Roman Leary has done a wonderful job here in Edgecombe County”, said Ronnie Daughtgry, chair of Edgecombe County Memorial Library. “We are going to miss him, but I highly recommend him to Sheppard Memorial Library.”
In addition to his 30 years of service in libraries, Leary has been a bag boy, a night watchman, a luggage salesman, a picture framer, and a carpet cleaner. He is a published novelist and his short stories have appeared in six different anthologies, three of which have been translated into French.
Leary officially joins Sheppard Memorial Library on Aug. 26.
Needham said he sees great things in the library’s future.
“We’ve seen tremendous use of the library in the last 15 years, and it’s only going to get better,” Needham said. “Our patrons, adults and children, are coming in more and more — attending our programs, checking out books, using the public computers. It’s such an exciting time for our public library, and Roman Leary is the right person to lead Sheppard to its Centennial in 2029-30.”
The Library was officially opened to the public as Sheppard Memorial Library on October 17, 1930.
Leary is married to Ana Jimenez-Leary, an instructor at Beaufort Community College, and has one daughter, a junior at Washington Montessori Public Charter School.
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