LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Public Library Director Jayme Viveiros is starting a new chapter in her professional life.

She will be leaving the library as of Friday, Aug. 25 for a new position as assistant library director in Walpole after working eight years in Lakeville.

The decision was not made easily, Viveiros told members of the Lakeville Library Board of Trustees at their July 26 meeting. “A lot went into making this decision,’’ she said.

“I will always treasure working here,’’ she said. She cited the relationships she has built with library staff and representatives and with the community at large.

Trustee Chair Nancy LaFave and trustees Ruth Gross and Patrick Marshall accepted her resignation with what they described as strong regret.

Viveiros said she would work to gather information that the new director would need in the position.

“The public library plays such an essential role in building a strong community,’’ she said. She hopes the next director will bring “energy and fresh ideas to keep this library an active library.’’

An emotional Gross thanked Viveiros for her efforts, particularly during the pandemic when the library, as with most entities, operated under a different working model.

“We appreciate everything,’’ Gross said. “Always know what a difficult time you went through and how well you did it.’’ 

Trustees agreed to form a search committee to select the next director. 

The committee that selected Viveiros included a select board member, the outgoing library director, a library staff representative, the president of the Friends of the Lakeville Library, three members of the library board of trustees and a citizen at large who had previously served as an acting library trustee. 

The exact make-up of the new committee will be decided after a conversation with Town Administrator Ari Sky, trustees chair LaFave said.

A farewell gathering to honor Viveiros is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 16 at the library