News Release

At its February Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded a commendation to Katherine Dibble in recognition of her work as a Commissioner, Chair of the MBLC Board and advocate to libraries across the Commonwealth. “Katherine has traveled all over the Commonwealth, visiting libraries East, West, North and South for ground breakings, dedication ceremonies, anniversary celebrations, conferences, workshops, and impromptu visits just because she was in the neighborhood. She has an extraordinary capacity to listen to issues, discover common ground, and find solutions that benefit as many in the library community as possible, enhancing library services and the Board mission in the process,” said Board Vice-chair, Mary Rose Quinn.

Commissioner Dibble, who was appointed to the MBLC by Governor Mitt Romney in 2005 and reappointed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2011, finished her service on the Board in January. She served as Board Chair during FY2011 and FY 2012. Her fellow Commissioners expressed their admiration and gratitude for Ms. Dibble who many considered a mentor. “She has character, class, and a deep commitment to the cause of libraries in this Commonwealth and beyond. She is a dedicated professional and fervent library advocate, promoting libraries wherever she travels. Katherine is, and, I hope, will continue to be colleague, mentor and friend to me and all of us on the Board,” added Vice-chair Quinn.

Commissioner Dibble has had a long career with the Boston Public Library where she began in 1966 at the Hyde Park Branch. Through the years she worked as an adult, library loan and research librarian and was the Director of Public Services from 1999 to 2003 when she retired. Among her professional memberships are the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, and City-Wide Friends of the Boston Public Library. She has also served as President and other capacities with the Boston Chapter of the Women's National Book Association, as well as a Trustee of the French Library and Cultural Center in Boston, and is currently a Board Member of the Boston Women's Heritage Trail. A graduate of Yankton College in South Dakota, she has her Master of Library Science from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Library Science.