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Date: 11/3/2022
EAST LONGMEADOW – Katherine McGonigle has harnessed her love of reading and belief in public service to build a career in which she brings learning, hobbies and interests to the community. Now, she is using her skills and passion as the director of the East Longmeadow Public Library (ELPL).
“Growing up my family emphasized the importance of education, community engagement and service,” said McGonigle, who joined the ELPL in July. Earning a master’s degree in information and library science from Syracuse University allowed her to “turn my passions into my profession.”
McGonigle has worked in the field as a public school librarian, a part-time adjunct instructor and college librarian.
Before becoming the ELPL director, McGonigle was a patron. “The East Longmeadow Public Library has a reputation for being a welcoming and engaging community space,” she said. “I personally enjoyed browsing the shelves and attending programs. When I would walk into the building or attend a program I was greeted warmly and always felt supported by library staff when searching for and borrowing materials.”
She also had professional experience with the library in her former position as the director of youth services at the Richard Salter Storrs Library in Longmeadow. “I had the pleasure to collaborate on programming with the Children and Teen departments. I also attended professional development with some of the ELPL staff. We had a nice working relationship.”
It was a natural decision, then, to pursue the director position once it became available. “Having such positive experiences made me excited to apply for the director position,” McGonigle said. In addition to knowing the library and its “wonderful” staff, she said she was looking forward to opportunities for professional growth.
McGonigle said her main focus is supporting the library’s mission: “to help educate and enrich our community in response to the intellectual, educational, and cultural needs and input of its patrons.” She said there is plenty of support in that mission, between the staff; the town; the Library Board of Trustees and the Friends of East Longmeadow Public Library, an organization that raises money for building updates and programs, and the patrons from East Longmeadow and the surrounding communities.
McGonigle said, “Together, we will continue to provide print and electronic resources, programs, outreach and services to best meet the needs of the community.”
The East Longmeadow Public Library is at 60 Center Sq., East Longmeadow. Hours and programs can be found online at https://eastlongmeadowlibrary.org.