BPL Presidential Search Committee Announced
Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the members of the Boston Public Library Presidential Search Committee, which will assist with the search for the next president of the Boston Public Library. The BPL Presidential Search Committee is chaired by John Palfrey, head of school at Phillips Academy in Andover.
“I have the utmost faith and confidence in the abilities of those serving on the Search Committee,” said Mayor Walsh. “The Boston Public Library is one of Boston’s most treasured public institutions, and this process will incorporate transparency and public participation. I look forward to the selection of a final candidate: a dynamic leader with vision, passion and an innovative outlook, who can take our library system to new heights to service the people of this great city and the state of Massachusetts, as well as visitors from this region and around the world.”
The next president of the BPL will be expected to shape and build upon the BPL’s strategic vision, the Compass Strategic Plan, the strengths of its collections, its technological innovations, and services across the neighborhoods of Boston; and to exert the leadership necessary to realize that vision.
“I could not be more delighted that such a diverse and experienced group has come together to help find the next president of the Boston Public Library,” said Palfrey. “We look forward to engaging with people across the City of Boston during the months to come as this search moves forward.”
“The Boston Public Library is a center for learning and a highly regarded cultural institution for both the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said John T. Hailer, Interim Chair of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees. “I believe that this group of individuals understands the needs of the library community, and will be thoughtful and diligent as they work to identify the best candidate to be the next president of the Boston Public Library.”
The Search Committee will locate, recruit, interview, and evaluate top candidates for the position in conjunction with an executive search firm, which will be selected by the BPL Board of Trustees at their upcoming meeting on Tuesday, November 10 at the Mattapan Branch, located at 1350 Blue Hill Ave. Immediately following the meeting at 3:00 p.m. Presidential Search Committee Chair John Palfrey will hold the first public listening session about the presidential search to hear from the public about the qualities they would like to see in the next president of the BPL.
The members of the Search Committee are as follows:
- Brandon Abbs, President of the City-wide Friends of the BPL and the Friends Group of the Egleston Square Branch Library
- Eileen Abels, Dean of the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College
- Ben Bradlee Jr., critically acclaimed author and former editor and reporter at the Boston Globe
- Elisa Birdseye, President of the BPL Professional Staff Association and 20-year employee of the BPL
- Jeff Hawkins, Chairman of the BPL Foundation
- Wendell Knox, President and CEO of Abt Associates
- Diane Patrick, Co-Managing Partner of Ropes & Gray’s Boston Office
- Erin Santhouse, Manager of the Mayor’s ONEin3 Initiative
- Natan Santos, Representative on the Mayor’s Youth Council and student at New Mission High School
- Beth Smith, Executive Director of the Hyams Foundation
- Vivian Spiro, Chairman of the Board of the Associates of the Boston Public Library
- Willie Wideman-Pleasants, President of the Friends of the Uphams Corner Library
- Tracy Wiggins, 26-year employee of the BPL
- Linda Zecher, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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