by Staff | Jul 24, 2019 12:45 pm

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Posted to: Arts & Culture, Books, City Hall

Martha Brogan will step down as the head of the New Haven Free Public Library in October after helping the local system win the highest national award available for libraries that provide “exceptional contributions to their communities.”

City spokesperson Laurence Grotheer announced Brogan’s departure as city librarian, effective Oct. 31, in a press release Wednesday afternoon.

“Martha Brogan’s leadership brought national recognition to NHFPL most notably as a 2019 winner of the prestigious National Medal for Museum & Library Service,” Mayor Toni Harp is quoted as saying in the release. “During her tenure, Martha has been a fierce advocate for strengthening each neighborhood branch library with increased hours of operation and technology to provide all residents with reliable, free, anywhere access to the Internet through the city’s library system.”

“Having the opportunity to serve as City Librarian is the capstone of my professional career,” Brogan is quoted as saying in the release. “With thanks to a dedicated library staff, an engaged community, and enlightened civic leaders, NFHPL has garnered attention nationally for its innovative and collaborative approach to services.”

Brogan, who became the city’s first-ever female chief librarian in 2014, oversaw the transformation of the city’s downtown hub and four neighborhood library branches into more than just places to check out a book or a movie. In 2015, the downtown library opened a popular Teen Center. In 2018, the downtown library opened a new cafe and maker space called Ives Squared. And earlier this year, the library system won the National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Washington-based Institute of Museum and Library Services, which awards only 10 such medals every year.

The library under her tenure has also spearheaded census education and job hiring drives, as well as partnered with Google for a daylong series of computer literacy workshops, and hosted annual Mardi Gras-themed fundraisers.

Read below the full press release about Brogan’s coming retirement.

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp announced today that City Librarian Martha Brogan, who has served as Director of the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) since 2014, will retire effective October 31, 2019 to join her spouse and devote more time to their family, including their young granddaughters.

“Martha Brogan’s leadership brought national recognition to NHFPL most notably as a 2019 winner of the prestigious National Medal for Museum & Library Service,” Mayor Harp said. “During her tenure, Martha has been a fierce advocate for strengthening each neighborhood branch library with increased hours of operation and technology to provide all residents with reliable, free, anywhere access to the Internet through the city’s library system.”

“Renovations at Ives Main Library, starting with the popular Teen Center, which opened in 2015, and continuing with the Ives Squared innovation space in summer 2018, have given New Haven residents access to new programs, workshops and technology responsive to 21st-century learning,” Mayor Harp added. “While we are sad to see Martha retire, we are proud of her many successes here with every good wish for the next chapter in her life.”

“Having the opportunity to serve as City Librarian is the capstone of my professional career. With thanks to a dedicated library staff, an engaged community, and enlightened civic leaders, NFHPL has garnered attention nationally for its innovative and collaborative approach to services. On the horizon, the new Stetson Library in the Q Community House will bring renewed vitality and opportunity to residents across the city,” Brogan said. “I’m proud of all we accomplished, working together, and I look forward to returning to the library as a customer myself!”

The Library Board will launch a national search under the aegis of an executive search firm immediately. Board President, Shana Schneider noted, “On behalf of the entire Board, we thank Martha for her dynamic leadership and know that our dedicated library staff will continue to build on the innovation momentum that Martha helped cultivate.” Schneider continued, “She has led us into an exciting time for NHFPL, with our successful fundraising efforts for the new Stetson Library branch at 90% of our $2 million goal and partnerships that support our diverse community members in compelling new ways.”

About the New Haven Free Public Library:

The New Haven Free Public Library welcomes more than 850,000 visitors annually through its 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.