Susan Corsello said she was 15 and attending St. Aidan School when she worked for the Williston Park Library after school for $2.50 an hour.
More than 30 years later and a professional career in between, Corsello returned to the area as the new director of the East Williston Library in May with memories of her first experience fresh in her mind.
“I loved it,” said the now-47-year-old Corsello. “I’ve always been very comfortable in a library because of that.”
Corsello, who grew up in Williston Park, said she was an avid reader from a young age but after graduating from St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset got a degree in accounting from Fordham University and then earned an MBA degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
She then spent 16 years working in the finance field, her last five years at T.I.AA – Cref in New York City as head of investment managing a staff of 15 people.
After living in Manhattan for 12 years, she moved to East Williston in 2001 with her husband, Philip. In 2005, she decided to stop working and take care of their two children, who were then two and four years old.
Corsello said she began taking her two children to the East Williston library, and getting involved in the local community.
She joined the North Side School PTO and became a girl scout leader for Troop 1848. She has also taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes at St. Aidan.
Corsello said she was still thinking about accounting-related jobs when she decided to look for a part-time job – until the library job came up.
“I wanted to get back to work. I was thinking of accounting related jobs,” Corsello said. “I was looking for something part time.”
But when the part-time job as director of the East Williston Library came up, she said, she thought it was a good fit.
“I thought the library would be fun and it is.” Corsello said. “I love books. Reading has been my favorite hobby,” .
The East Williston Board of Trustees appointed her to the part time position in May to replace Susan Quinn who became director of the Oyster Bay Library.
She said her prior corporate experience had been valuable in handling the business of the library.
“It’s like running a little business. I’m very comfortable with the business side,” Corsello said.
She said the 10 retired librarians who are members of the volunteer East Williston Library Friends have been “very supportive” in giving her guidance on the technical aspects of running the library.
Even though it’s not a big library operation, she said, she enjoys interacting with residents and providing them with all the services available through the county library system.
“We may be small, but we’re very useful,” Corsello said.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
