Hopkinton Public Library director Heather Backman will step down July 9, after accepting a position with the Weymouth Public Libraries, the town announced Friday.

Backman joined the Hopkinton Public Library in October 2014 as the adult services librarian and was appointed library director in August 2017.

During her tenure as director, Backman led the transition to the new building, expanded library programming and increased foot traffic by 47.7 percent and circulation by 25.6 percent, with 1,577 new cardholders added, according to the town.

“It’s been an honor to serve the Hopkinton community for the last 6 1/2 years and to work with the dedicated individuals on the library staff, board of trustees, Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library, and Hopkinton Library Foundation,” Backman said, via a town press release. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have had the support of a town manager who understands the importance of a vibrant public library. Many diligent and caring colleagues throughout the town have also been wonderful partners in my work. I am grateful for the strong and continuing support of this community for its library, and I know that the library team will continue to do wonderful things for the Town of Hopkinton under the guidance of our new strategic plan.”

Said town manager Norman Khumalo: “Heather is a team player, a key contributor in senior leader meetings, and an active participant in agency wide initiatives and policy discussions. She is an intellectual powerhouse and pleasant to work with and will be missed by all.”

“The Hopkinton Public Library Board of Trustees wishes Heather Backman well in her new position and we offer our sincere congratulations,” said Board of Library Trustees chair Susan Porter. “Our loss is the Weymouth Library’s gain, and we are so very sorry to see her go. Heather has been a wonderful director during a very tumultuous time. She has dealt with the opening of our new library and the COVID emergency, among other things, with grace and sensitivity. Heather, we will miss you and your intelligent and inclusive presence.”