News Release

Nancy Rea, Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), will be leaving the agency mid-September. Nancy's departure is voluntary and will help the agency close a significant shortfall in its state budget appropriation, thereby helping to preserve other critical staff positions. 

The MBLC Chairman George T. Comeau expressed his appreciation for Nancy's dedication, "Nancy's choice to step down is a selfless example of leadership and allows the agency to weather the financial storm that is ravaging state and local programs. I am saddened by her departure, as she is one of the finest advocates for local libraries in the Commonwealth. The loss of the deputy director position illustrates how this severe economic climate is affecting every aspect of service to libraries in Massachusetts. Nancy will be greatly missed and the Board of Library Commissioners wishes her good fortune as she closes this chapter in her distinguished career."

During her three years with the MBLC not only has Nancy directed the LSTA, Construction, Technology, and Preservation programs, but she has also been instrumental in the development of new initiatives such as Spanish Language Outreach, the Library Construction Green Incentive, the statewide web portal and, most recently, the Gates Foundation's Opportunity Online Broadband program. "She has been an invaluable asset to the agency and the statewide library community. She will be greatly missed," said MBLC Director Robert C. Maier

Nancy is far from considering this the last chapter in her thirty-year library career. She is looking forward to having more time to serve in a library advocacy role, perhaps even as a library trustee. "Being at the Board has allowed me to work with some of the best and brightest people and given me a statewide perspective of libraries-it's a job I've enjoyed tremendously," said Rea. "Libraries are my passion, I'll always be involved," she added.

Nancy looks forward to pursuing artistic endeavors that have taken a back seat to the demands of being Deputy Director at the MBLC. "I'd like to start painting again and join a singing group." Travel is also in her future.

Prior to her position at the MBLC, Nancy was the director of the Haverhill Public Library where she was responsible for moving that library from the threat of closure to fiscal stability. During her tenure, the library was the recipient of the 2005 Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Annual Service Award. She worked for over twenty-three years at the Anne Arundel County Public Library in Maryland where she held several positions including staff development coordinator for a staff of more than 200. She continues to serve on the Board of the Friends of Haverhill Public Library.

A graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Nancy has her M.L.S. from the University of Maryland in College Park. She is a member of the American Library Association and Massachusetts Library Association.