For Immediate Release:
10/30/2020 4:10 pm
Staff from the Worcester Public Library will soon welcome Jason L. Homer as the library’s new executive director. Homer brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position, including 12 years of library experience, a proven record of building collaborative relationships with community organizations, and a history of developing forward-thinking programs and initiatives.
Homer is eager to get started meeting with staff and learning the ins and outs of the Worcester Public Library, as well as building connections within the Worcester community. He is expected to begin by early December.
“I am honored to be selected to serve the City of Worcester,” said Homer. “I look forward to working alongside the staff and the Board of Directors to envision library services that will continue to grow with this vibrant and diverse community.”
Homer began his career as an Assistant Circulation Supervisor at the Regis College Library in Weston, later earning his master’s degree in library and information science from Simmons College. In his most recent position, Homer served as the director of the Morse Institute Library, a public library in Natick, MA.
As executive director at the Worcester Public Library, Homer will oversee seven branches, including the Main Library at 3 Salem Square, two mobile libraries, all library staff, as well as a collection of more than one million items.
“I am excited to welcome Jason as the new Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library,” City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. said. “He joins the library at a truly unique time in its history, and it stands as one of the greatest public resources in the City. The Worcester Public Library system, supported by a dedicated staff and a legion of volunteers, enriches the lives of all those who patronize it. With millions of dollars in renovations underway at the Main Library, the library is expanding its offerings, and I welcome the forward-thinking leadership Jason will bring in growing its influence in Worcester.”
Homer’s appointment comes after a nationwide search, which was temporarily put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was his views on the importance of community connections and the desire to advance resources and services to the patrons of the Worcester Public Library that helped him stand out from the other applicants.
“The Search Committee and the Board are delighted with the outcome,” said Stephanie Pasha, president, WPL Board of Directors. “Mr. Homer has the empathy, enthusiasm, and sense of purpose that we know this library and the residents of Worcester deserve. I very much look forward to working with him on the next chapter for the Worcester Public Library.”
The search committee was headed by members of the Worcester Public Library Board of Directors, with input from the library staff, city officials, and community partners.
For more information on the Worcester Public Library and a complete list of events and programs visit mywpl.org. For more information on Executive Director Jason Homer, contact Linnea Sheldon, Community Relations and Communications Manager, at 508-799-1654 or lsheldon@mywpl.org.
