The Peru Gazette

Stacey Bousquet

Our library’s two new computers

Stop to solve the puzzle

Downstairs tween room

Our library is beautiful during all the seasons

By John T Ryan 

Peru, NY, December 9, 2025 – At a time of year when people pause to give thanks, the Peru Free Library is a community resource that is very important to many. Our library’s offerings educate, entertain, and bring our community together,

Many people are responsible for the library’s longtime success, including patrons, the board of directors, volunteers, people who patronize its fundraisers, and the town and school boards that include the library in their annual budgets. The individual most responsible for the library’s day-to-day success is its librarian. Becky Pace retired as a librarian in September 2024 after 21 1/2 years of outstanding service. On October 1, Stacey Bousquet succeeded Becky and Allison Collier succeeded Stacey as assistant librarian. 

When Stacey Bousquet graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1996 with a degree in Hearing and Speech Science, being a librarian wasn’t in her plans. However, her plans changed when she became a stay-at-home mom for her daughters, Olivia and Adelia. She took them to the library’s story hours and liked what she saw. She became a library volunteer, served on the library’s board of directors, and, before taking her present position, served as Peru’s assistant librarian for 9 years.  

The library’a many patrons appreciate it for a multitude of reasons. Most recently, many appreciate the two new computers in the library’s front room. Stacey applied for and received a grant to fund them. If you look to the right as you enter the library, you’ll see a new activity: a large puzzle in progress on a long table.  The day the Gazette visited, library patron Lynda Mulcahy, a self-described puzzle nut, couldn’t resist working on the puzzle. Downstairs, Stacey converted an open space to a brightly colored tween room outfitted with lounge chairs, teen books, and a LEGO board. Stacey’s husband Jim, a library volunteer, helped her paint that room. To address recent food needs, the library started a community cupboard food pantry at the library entrance. People in need can pick up food without entering the library.

A monthly newsletter publicizes the library’s many programs and Stacey’s daughter, Olivia, maintains the library’s website as she has done since 2021. The library’s Facebook page is also a primary communicator. 

“I try to schedule one special program each week, Stacey explained.  The Community Learning Series is one such program. The Peru Democrats, led by Marque Moffett, started the series. Now, Marque and Stacey are continuing the program under the library auspices.  A November OneWorkSource presentation was a Community Learning Series. Other November programs included a Gather and Craft Evening, a Gregg Badger Art Exhibit, an online art auction, a consumer protection online shopping presentation, a dog behavior program, and a Tai Chi workshop.  Children’s Story Time with Granny Apple is held each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Stacey Bousquet looks to library patrons for ideas. She emphasized,”If people have suggestions, talk to me in person or email me. I’m open to new things. Next year, we’re planning to conduct a community survey, trying to find out more about what people want.” She concluded our interview saying, “I look upon the library as a means of bringing our community together. I’m very privileged to be in this job serving our community.”