NEW HAVEN, CT – Today, Mayor Justin Elicker announced that former Interim Connecticut State Librarian and former American Library Association President Maureen Sullivan will serve as Interim City Librarian of the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) following the recent passing of former City Librarian John Jessen on Friday, May 27th, 2022. Sullivan, who begins today, will serve in the role temporarily and also help advise the NHFPL’s Board of Directors in its search for a new permanent City Librarian.
“Our public libraries are among our most treasured city assets, serving as centers of learning, inspiration, empowerment, and community for so many New Haven residents. That why’s I am incredibly grateful to Maureen Sullivan for agreeing to serve as our Interim City Librarian to help support our library staff in ensuring the highest level of services and programs continue uninterrupted across all five branches,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “It’s critically important that we identify the right leader to succeed John Jessen, and I look forward to working with the NHFPL Board of Directors and Maureen in the search process for a new permanent City Librarian.”
“We are fortunate to be able to bring on as Interim City Librarian a leader of Maureen Sullivan’s caliber,” said NHFPL Board of Directors President Lauren Anderson. “Maureen’s appointment serves to steady and help steward our beloved Library, so that it can continue to fulfill and extend the many important roles it plays in our community. Her appointment provides key support to the NHFPL’s talented team of librarians, who in so many ways represent both the incredibly bright future of our Library system and the lasting impact of John Jessen’s leadership.”
“I look forward to working with and supporting the very good work of the New Haven Free Public Library's leadership team and staff as they continue to provide services, programs, and resources to the people of New Haven.,” said Interim City Librarian Maureen Sullivan.
As Interim City Librarian, Sullivan will focus on supporting the Library’s administrative team members in fostering the Library’s internal and external service goals during this time of transition. She will also advise the Board in its search for a new permanent City Librarian.
Maureen Sullivan is a librarian, educator, and organizational consultant based in Connecticut. She is known throughout the profession for her work helping organizations deal effectively with change. Sullivan brings a depth of knowledge and experience to the role, having served as Interim State Librarian for the Connecticut State Library from May 2020 to January 2021, and having been elected in September 2021 to chair the State Library Board.
Sullivan was president of the American Library Association from 2012-2013, where she also served as co-chair of the Emerging Leaders Initiative from 2006-2010 and 2013-18 as well as chair of the Minority Fellowship Program Advisory Board from 1989-1995. She has served as president of both the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL, 1998-99) and the Library Leadership & Management Association (1988-89). During her term as ACRL President, Maureen worked with the Harvard Graduate School of Education to establish the Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, offered annually since 1999. She also helped to develop the curriculum for the Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, within which she has served as a key instructor.
Sullivan received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Maryland and her M.A. degree in Library Science from the University of Maryland.
About the New Haven Free Public Library
The New Haven Free Public Library welcomes nearly 700,000 visitors annually through our front doors and digital portals, realizing its mission of fostering lifelong learning, inspiring curiosity, and building community through shared access to resources, experiences, and opportunities for all. The library system includes the Ives Memorial Library on the historic New Haven Green, 24/7 online services, the Readmobile bringing books to early childhood learning centers, and four neighborhood libraries: Fair Haven, Mitchell, Stetson and Wilson. Now and tomorrow, the New Haven Free Public Library will transform lives and contribute to creating a strong, resilient, and informed community where everyone can thrive.
The New Haven Free Public Library is a 2019 winner of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for distinctive service to their communities. For more information, visit nhfpl.org
