A Sept. 25 Post-Journal article announced the upcoming retirement of Annie Green. However, at the time of the publication, the library’s Board of Trustees had not chosen a replacement for her.

According to Dan Hickman, the president of the library’s Board of Trustees, the incoming next executive director will be Tress Williams. Williams is a long-time Prendergast Library employee, with extensive educational and background work history with library management and programming.

Williams, a native of Seattle, Wash., moved to New York in 2013 to attend Syracuse University and obtained a degree in journalism and English. She then obtained a master’s degree in 2015, and then again in 2016 she earned another master’s degree in library and information services.

Williams was hired in 2016 as a library assistant at the Prendergast Library. Since then, she’s held numerous positions of responsibility working side-by-side with Green working her way up the promotional ladder.

Tress Williams, the incoming executive director for the James Prendergast Library, reads with children during story time at the library during the summer. Williams will replace long-time library Executive Director Annie Green, Feb. 2, 2025, when Green is set to retire. Submitted photo

Because of Williams’ work ethics, dedication to the library, and providing efficient and professional service to all the library’s patrons has earned her accolades from the library’s current leadership team and led to her upcoming promotion.

“Tress will begin her new role as executive director on Feb. 2, 2025, when I retire,” Green said. “I have worked very closely with Tress for the last eight years, and I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish in the library’s next chapter. Tress is a talented and a natural leader who truly cares about the staff, and the important work and services the library offers to our community. She has excellent problem-solving skills and has successfully administered several grants, new library programs, and important organizational changes. I’m very excited for Tress to move our library forward.”

Williams says she owes a lot to Green and looks forward to the challenges her new position will bring. She said she loves the fast-paced environment that the library tends to foster.

“Annie (Green) has been a wonderful leader, and I’ve learned a lot working with her. The library is in a strong position because of her. When I take over there will be no major changes. However, we’re always looking at ways to meet our community’s needs and will adjust as needed,” Williams said.

Hickman echoed Green’s statement.

“Tress was a natural selection for promotion. Annie has always preferred to promote from within, as it shows that hard work for the staff can pay off for them in the long run,” he said. “She (Green) worked out a succession plan, and details on promoting Tress to the executive director’s position and presented it to the executive committee. We reviewed it and agreed to present it to the board. We discussed our options and agreed that this was the most sensible course of action. Annie has spent a lot of time training her management staff and Tress has the respect and support of the staff and board. We’re very excited to see what she will bring to the E.D. (executive director) position and I am looking forward to working with her.”

By all accounts Williams has her finger on the pulse of the library and is proactive instead of reactive. She said despite the plethora of free programs the library currently offers, that parents of children and patrons still say that finding free, organized and high-quality programs in the area is hard to come by.

“It’s challenging in our area for parents to find efficient, organized and free programming,” she said. “Libraries typically respond to the needs of a community. Our library has a Maker Space for children and teens to use; we have a Dungeons and Dragons game night for kids, we partner with the YMCA to provide meals during the summertime for children, we have traditional library activities like story time, and we strive to make sure we’re relevant and in touch with the community.”

Green previously has stated that the library is a centerpoint for the entire community. Not only does the library have free programs, but is also a warming center during the winter. Moreover, the library has seen a continual increase in reported program usage and services – something Williams is keen on continuing.

“We are ready and willing to serve our community,” she said.

As Williams prepares for her new role, she is ever cognizant of the responsibilities inherent in her new position.

“This is a tremendous opportunity, and I will strive to continue the good work the library does for our community,” she said.