Director

Director’s Update – January 4, 2021

Happy New Year!

I joined the Library at the end of 2020 and it is already clear to me how special this city is and how fortunate I am to be here. While the current pandemic is making getting to know the community challenging, I’m eager to introduce myself to you and to start to discuss how the Library can help make Boise a city for everyone.

I am a librarian because I believe in the power of libraries to change lives. In today’s information age, libraries are more essential that ever. They help people learn, create, and connect.

I’m also proud of the values public libraries exhibit every day in their commitment to equity and access and working collaboratively to provide a safe, equitable, and thriving community for all. It’s an inspiring vision and I’m so pleased to be here helping the Library to make it a reality!

There is no better example of the value of the Boise Public Library than its response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. While we have had to limit access to public buildings, the work – and the impact of the Library – has not stopped. Library staff immediately pivoted to rapidly increase online services including programming such as virtual storytimes to keep the community connected and engaged, curbside pickup to keep people reading, and Grab & Go kits to keep kids learning.

As we go forward, my highest priority – and the highest priority for the Board of Trustees and the City – is to help the community through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and continue to provide excellent library services while protecting the health and safety of community members and Library staff. We all look forward to the time when our libraries are again filled with all of you!  

Looking ahead, I look forward to starting conversations with you in 2021 to create a bold and inclusive vision articulating what we want the impact of the Library to be, how we want the Library to contribute to the community, how we want it to support our future. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time at LibraryDirector@cityofboise.org.