Contributed photo
Current library admin and incoming top city librarian Maria Bernhey.
A current city library administrator and New York Public Library veteran has risen the ranks to become the next head of New Haven’s national award-winning public library system, roughly one year after the death of the city’s former top librarian.
City spokesperson Lenny Speiller and library admin Rory Martorana made that announcement in a joint email press release sent out Wednesday midday.
They announced that Maria Bernhey will become the city’s next top librarian, effective July 1. She currently serves as the New Haven Free Public Library’s public services administrator, a role she’s been in since April 2022. Before that, she spent seven years as a branch manager and in various leadership roles at the New York Public Library.
“It is an incredible honor to be named City Librarian of the New Haven Free Public Library,” Bernhey is quoted as saying in the press release. “I take great pride in working alongside a library team that is immensely passionate about their work and dedicated to serving and strengthening our community.”
“Since joining the NHFPL, Maria has distinguished herself as a leader among her peers, has developed exceptionally strong rapport with staff at all levels, and has forged partnerships that deepen the Library’s commitments to equity and diversity through internal and external programming,” library Board of Directors President Lauren Anderson is quoted as saying in that same press release. “This is an exciting moment in our Library’s history and an important time for public libraries nationwide.”
According to the release, which can be read in full below, the Board of Directors approved Bernhey’s appointment on May 10.
Bernhey succeeds in this role John Jessen, who died from cancer in May 2022. Acting City Librarian Maureen Sullivan, who has led the public library system since Jessen’s death, will continue in that role until Bernhey officials takes over on July 1.
See below for Wednesday’s full press release.
New Haven Free Public Library Announces New City Librarian & Director Maria Bernhey
NEW HAVEN, CT – The New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) is proud to announce the appointment of Maria Bernhey as the 10th City Librarian and Director, succeeding the late John Jessen. Bernhey will begin her new role on July 1, 2023.
A passionate advocate for libraries and their role in the community, Bernhey (pronounced Bern – Ā) brings more than a decade of experience in the library field to the position. Bernhey currently serves as Public Services Administrator at the NHFPL, a position she has held since April 2022, where she provides administrative oversight for the four neighborhood branches (Fair Haven, Mitchell, Stetson, Wilson); systemwide youth services; and community outreach and training with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging to help foster a positive environment for all members of the NHFPL community; among other responsibilities. Prior to her tenure at NHFPL, Bernhey held a variety of branch manager and leadership roles at the New York Public Library (2015 ‑2022). In all these roles, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing high-quality library services and worked to develop and implement innovative programs and services that meet the needs of diverse urban communities. Bernhey is a graduate of Hofstra University and holds a Master of Library Science degree from Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY). She is a member of the American Library Association and the Connecticut Library Association.
“It is an incredible honor to be named City Librarian of the New Haven Free Public Library. I take great pride in working alongside a library team that is immensely passionate about their work and dedicated to serving and strengthening our community,” said incoming City Librarian Maria Bernhey. “Our libraries play an integral role in ensuring that New Haven is a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible place for residents and the community to gather, learn, engage, and connect. I am eager to lead NHFPL in our commitment to celebrating diversity, providing equitable access to information, and expanding essential services that foster growth in our community.”
In her new role, Bernhey will be responsible for leading the New Haven Free Public Library in its mission to foster lifelong learning, inspire curiosity, and build community through shared access to resources, experiences, and opportunities for all. She will be responsible for overseeing the library’s five branches, which serves a diverse population of over 135,000 people. Bernhey believes that libraries are essential to lifelong learning, economic development, and civic engagement.
After an extensive search and interview process, the NHFPL Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve Bernhey’s appointment on May 10. Acting City Librarian Maureen Sullivan, who was appointed in June 2022, will continue to lead the NHFPL until Bernhey begins in her new role on July 1st, 2023.
Dr. Lauren Anderson, President of the NHFPL Board of Directors, said “It is a joy to announce Maria Bernhey’s appointment as the New Haven Free Public Library’s new City Librarian. Since joining the NHFPL, Maria has distinguished herself as a leader among her peers, has developed exceptionally strong rapport with staff at all levels, and has forged partnerships that deepen the Library’s commitments to equity and diversity through internal and external programming. This is an exciting moment in our Library’s history and an important time for public libraries nationwide. We all look forward to supporting Maria and her colleagues as they lead our beloved, award-winning NHFPL into its bright future as a model for what a library can do and be for its community.”
Mayor Justin Elicker, said “Our libraries are incredible centers of learning, enrichment, connection, and community for our residents. Whether you’re looking for a great read, exploring a new topic or interest, needing to access critical resources, or wanting to connect with your neighbors at any number of community events, New Haven’s public libraries are the place to go. We’re fortunate to have a new city librarian in Maria Bernhey who is committed to ensuring that the NHFPL and all its branches remain vibrant and inclusive places for New Haveners to access all these opportunities and more. I look forward to working with Maria and our dedicated NHFPL staff in continuing to keep our libraries as accessible as possible and offering the highest level of services possible for our residents.”
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.