NEWS RELEASE

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) recently announced the members of the Director’s Search Committee which will assist with the hiring of the next MBLC director. The committee of experienced library professionals from across the Commonwealth is chaired by MBLC Commissioner Vicky Biancolo. The search begins after James Lonergan, who has been MBLC director since 2017, announced his impending retirement in June 2024.

The MBLC director works closely with partner organizations, the Massachusetts library community, and members of the Massachusetts Legislature and Executive Cabinet to ensure library services for all residents and every community. The next agency director will work with staff and partners to develop an innovative strategic plan and will secure state bond funding for the award-winning Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Additionally, the director will work with state and federal budgets that fund MBLC’s programs and services.

“The past five years have ushered in great change in the way we work, live, and learn. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is one of the oldest state library agencies in the nation and the director is a steward of the agency’s successful legacy but must also have vision that leads to innovation in our programs and services so that everyone receives the library services they need,” said MBLC Chair Debby Conrad. “I am confident that this committee will present the board with qualified and dynamic candidates, and I look forward to finding the next director who can lead the agency to a new chapter in its history.”

The Committee’s duties will run from January 2024 through April 2024, and will include reviewing candidate’s applications, conducting preliminary interviews, and selecting up to four finalists to be presented to the board. After the committee completes its work, the full Commission will hold interviews of the recommended finalists at an open Board meeting and will select the new director based on those interviews.

The Director’s Search Committee members are:

Courtney Andree, Executive Director, Massachusetts Center for the Book

Vicky Biancolo, Vice Chair, Board of Library Commissioners

Celeste Bruno, Communications Director, Board of Library Commissioners

Kim Charlson, Executive Director, Perkins School Library

Millie Gonzalez, Library Dean, Framingham State University- MCCLPHEI

David Leonard, President, Boston Public Library

Joyce Linehan, Board of Library Commissioners

Tina McAndrew, Secretary, Massachusetts Library Association

Alex Reczkowski, Library Director, Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield

David Slater, Network Administrator, Old Colony Library Network (OCLN)

Sarah Sogigian, Executive Director, Massachusetts Library System

Ella Stocker, Massachusetts School Library Association

Karen Traub, Secretary, Board of Library Commissioners

Cover Letters and Resumes are due to the board in early February. Preliminary interviews will take place between February 19^th and 23^rd. In person interviews with the committee will take place between March 11^th and 15^th, and the committee will select up to four finalists to send to the Board in early April. The Board will conduct final interviews in early April and will select a final candidate early in May. More information about the position and the hiring timeline can be found here.