Leadership

Leadership

The Albany Public Library is led by a team devoted to connecting you with the information you need to improve and enrich your life.

In addition to the leadership team, we have more than 120 full- and part-time employees and dozens of volunteers who help make it possible for us to bring so many resources, programs, and events to Albany, New York residents.

The library’s nine-member Board of Trustees is charged with ensuring that the library fulfills its mission in a fiscally and operationally responsible way. The board is governed by a set of bylaws, which is regularly reviewed and amended as needed.

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Board Meetings and Minutes

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014

April 29, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch | 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.

Note: This is a special meeting to discuss youth behavior issues in the city of Albany and the impact they have on library operations.

Agenda & Minutes

January 8, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

*Meeting cancelled due to snowstorm* | February 12, 2019 | 6:00 pm

*Feb. 12 meeting is rescheduled for Feb. 26 | Howe Branch | 6 pm*

 

Agenda

February 26, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Howe Branch | 105 Schuyler St.

Note: This is a special session to discuss the proposed 2020 budget and cover the agenda from the Feb. 12 meeting that was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Agenda & Minutes

March 12, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch | 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.

Agenda & Minutes

April 9, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Bach Branch | 455 New Scotland Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

May 14, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Delaware Branch | 331 Delaware Ave.

Agenda

June 11, 2019 | 6:00 pm

North Albany Branch | 616 North Pearl St.

Agenda

July 9, 2019 | Meeting starts at 6:30 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave.

Note: This is the board's annual session. A welcome reception will be held 5:30-6:30 pm prior to the meeting.

August 13, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Pine Hills Branch | 517 Western Ave.

September 10, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Howe Branch | 105 Schuyler St.

October 15, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch | 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.

Note: The October meeting will take place on the third Tuesday of the month, due to Yom Kippur.

November 12, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Bach Branch | 455 New Scotland Ave.

December 10, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Delaware Branch | 331 Delaware Ave.

January 9, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch | 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.

Agenda & Minutes

February 13, 2018 | 6:00 pm

North Albany Branch | 616 North Pearl St.

Agenda & Minutes

March 6, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave. | 2nd Floor Community Room

SPECIAL MEETING: Budget Session

Agenda & Minutes

March 13, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Howe Branch | 105 Schuyler St.

Agenda & Minutes

April 10, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Bach Branch | 455 New Scotland Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

May 8, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

June 12, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Delaware Branch | 331 Delaware Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

July 10, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Pine Hills Branch | 517 Western Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

August 14, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch | 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.

Agenda & Minutes

September 11, 2018 | 6:00 pm

North Albany Branch | 616 North Pearl St.

Agenda & Minutes

October 9, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Howe Branch | 105 Schuyler St.

Agenda & Minutes

November 13, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Bach Branch | 455 New Scotland Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

December 11, 2018 | 6:00 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

Dec. 21, 2017 (Thursday) | 6:00 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave.

Special Meeting: Purpose to review and approve end-of-year check register.

 

Agenda & Minutes

Jan. 10, 2017 | 6 pm

Howe Branch | 105 Schuyler St.

January meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

Feb. 14, 2017 | 6 pm

Bach Branch | 455 New Scotland Ave.

February meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

March 15* (Wednesday), 2017 | 6 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave.

*Date changed due to library closure during snowstorm

March meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

April 4, 2017 | 6 pm

Delaware Branch | 331 Delaware Ave.

(Note: This date is a change from the original schedule, and was approved by the Board on Jan. 10. 2017.)

April meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

May 9, 2017 | 6 pm

Pine Hills Branch | 517 Western Ave.

May meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

June 13, 2017 | 6 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch | 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.

June meeting on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

June 27, 2017 | Washington Ave. Branch

6:00 pm | 161 Washington Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

July 11, 2017 | 6 pm

North Albany Branch | 616 North Pearl St.

July meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

Aug. 8, 2017 | 6 pm

Howe Branch | 105 Schuyler St.

August meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

Sept. 12, 2017 | 6 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave.

Agenda & Minutes

Oct. 10, 2017 | 6 pm

Washington Ave. Branch | 161 Washington Ave.

October meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

Nov. 14, 2017 | 6 pm

Delaware Branch | 331 Delaware Ave.

November meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

Dec. 5, 2017 | 6 pm

Pine Hills Branch | 517 Western Ave.

December regular meeting video on YouTube

(Note: This date is a change from the original schedule, and was approved by the Board on Jan. 10. 2017.)

Agenda & Minutes

6 pm at Washington Ave. Branch

Agenda & Minutes

January 12, 2016 -- 6 pm

Washington Ave. Branch

Agenda & Minutes

February 9, 2016 -- 6 pm

Bach Branch

Agenda & Minutes

March 8, 2016 -- 6 pm

North Albany Branch

March meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

April 12, 2016 -- 6 pm

Delaware Branch

April meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

May 10, 2016 -- 6 pm

Pine Hills Branch

May meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

June 14, 2016 -- 6 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch

June meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

July 12, 2016 -- 6 pm

Howe Branch

July meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

August 9, 2016 -- 6 pm

Bach Branch

August meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

September 13, 2016 -- 6 pm

Washington Ave. Branch

September meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

October 11, 2016 -- 6 pm

Pine Hills Branch

October meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

November 8, 2016 -- 6 pm

Delaware Branch

November meeting on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

December 13, 2016 -- 6 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch

December meeting video on YouTube

Agenda & Minutes

January 13, 2015 - 5:30 pm

Bach Branch
455 New Scotland Avenue

Agenda & Minutes

February 10, 2015 - 5:30 pm

Pine Hills Branch
517 Western Avenue

Agenda & Minutes

March 10, 2015 - 5:30 pm

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch
148 Henry Johnson Boulevard

Agenda & Minutes

April 14, 2015 - 5:30 pm

Delaware Branch
331 Delaware Avenue

Agenda & Minutes

May 12, 2015 - 5:30 pm

Howe Branch
105 Schuyler Street

Agenda & Minutes

June 9, 2015 - 5:30 p.m. 

North Albany Branch

616 North Pearl Street

Agenda & Minutes

July 14, 2015 - 5:30 p.m.

Washington Avenue Branch
161 Washington Avenue
(2nd floor community room)

Agenda & Minutes

August 11, 2015 - 6 p.m.

Bach Branch
455 New Scotland Avenue

Agenda & Minutes

September 8, 2015 - 6 p.m.

Pine Hills Branch
517 Western Avenue

Agenda & Minutes

October 13, 2015 - 6 p.m.

Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch
148 Henry Johnson Boulevard

Agenda & Minutes

November 10, 2015 - 6 p.m.

Delaware Branch
331 Delaware Avenue

Agenda & Minutes

December 8, 2015 - 6 p.m. 

Howe Branch
105 Schuyler Street

 

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Scott C. Jarzombek, Executive Director

Scott C. Jarzombek grew up as a loyal patron of his local public library, spending the bulk of his childhood poring over history books and attending comic book club. During high school, Scott combined his penchant for skateboarding and music with his interest in multimedia and photography as a member of the school library’s audiovisual club. During his junior year of college he became a “jack of all trades” for his college library director, which led him to apply to SUNY Albany’s Library Science Program. During his second semester in library school, Scott was hired at Albany Public Library and worked here as branch librarian for nine years. After leaving the organization in 2009 to develop his career, he returned to Albany in 2014 as the executive director.

Melanie Metzger, Assistant Director

Full of boundless energy, Melanie Metzger acts as Scott’s right-hand-woman and oversees the library’s public service departments. She’s the library’s policy (and procedures) wonk and our go-to person for customer service issues. Melanie came to Albany in 2013 by way of Texas, where she spent 11 years building her resume in youth services and management, while working to keep her Central New York accent. Melanie likes to say she “fell into” the library world when, after trying different math, science, and arts majors as an undergrad at Syracuse University, she found that library science combined all of her interests into one career path. A native of Horseheads, NY, Melanie is an alumna of Syracuse University’s graduate program in library and information science.

Rebecca Lubin, Head of Branches (Delaware, Howe, North Albany)

Rebecca Lubin currently oversees the Delaware, Howe, and North Albany branches, but is probably best known, especially to our younger patrons, as “Miss Rebecca,” the super-awesome librarian at Delaware. After almost seven years nurturing young readers and making that branch into a neighborhood destination, she left Albany to build her leadership skills as an assistant director. Now that she’s back, Rebecca’s special touch with community outreach and customer service are being spread throughout the library’s branches. With a previous career as an urban planner, she brings a unique skill set (not to mention a great love of animals) to her work. Rebecca holds an undergraduate degree in urban studies from Vassar College, as well as a master’s in city and regional planning from Cornell University and a master’s in library and information science from Syracuse University.

Mary Coon, Head of Branches (Arbor Hill/West Hill, Washington Ave.)

With steady calm and quiet authority, Mary Coon has been a branch manager since 2011 and currently oversees the library's central locations -- Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch and Washington Ave. Branch. Mary has been with APL for close to 20 years. She previously spent eight years in charge of the library’s collection management services, ensuring that we had the books and other materials our users want and need on the shelves. Mary’s earlier experience as a reference librarian made her into a customer service maven and knowledgeable resource (especially about hockey, football, and NASCAR). She has always loved libraries and reading, with fond childhood memories of visits to the Yonkers Public Library in Getty Square and teaching a friend to read when she was a youngster. Mary has an undergraduate degree from Pace University and graduate degree in library science from the University at Albany.

Board of Trustees

Current Trustees

  • + Karen Strong | President | Term: July 2016-June 2021 | Committees: Executive (chair), Nominating (chair), Ad Hoc Strategic Plan (chair), APL Foundation ex-officio
  • + Andrew Bechard | Vice President | Term: July 2014-June 2019 | Committees: Executive, Finance, Ad Hoc North Albany
  • + Alison Calacone | Vice President for Finance | Term: July 2014-June 2019 | Committees: Executive, Finance (chair)
  • + Brenda Robinson | Secretary | Term: July 2017-June 2022 | Committees: Executive, Policy & Governance (chair), Personnel (chair)
  • + Elissa Kane | Term: July 2015-June 2020 | Committees: Personnel, Facilities & Construction (chair), Nominating, Ad Hoc Strategic Plan
  • + Matthew Finn | Term: July 2016-June 2021 | Committees: Facilities & Construction, Ad Hoc North Albany (chair), UHLS board member
  • + Jenna Pitera | Term: July 2017-June 2022 | Committees: Personnel, Nominating, APL Foundation ex-officio
  • + Sarah Shearer | Term: July 2017-June 2022 | Committees: Finance, Policy & Governance, Ad Hoc North Albany, Ad Hoc Strategic Plan
  • + Arlene Way | Appointed in February to fill partial term | Elected to five-year term commencing in July
  • Trustees-Elect | Sara Dallas (five-year term commencing in July) | Thomas McCarthy Jr. (one-year term commencing in June)

The full board meets the second Tuesday of every month (unless otherwise noted). The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Videos from recent board meetings can be viewed on YouTube.

View the board meeting schedule for 2019

 

APL Board

The library’s nine-member Board of Trustees is charged with ensuring that the library fulfills its mission in a fiscally and operationally responsible way. The board is governed by a set of bylaws, which is regularly reviewed and amended as needed.

Library trustees are Albany residents who are elected to five-year terms. They receive no compensation and represent the interests of the community.

Library trustee elections are held the third Tuesday in May. 

Board Committees

The board’s committees meet regularly to discuss library business. These meetings are open to the public and posted on the calendar.

Executive Committee: Karen Strong (president), Andrew Bechard (vice president), Alison Calacone (vice president for finance), Brenda Robinson (secretary)

Finance Committee: Alison Calacone (chair), Andrew Bechard, Sarah Shearer

Policy & Governance Committee: Brenda Robinson (chair), Sarah Shearer

Personnel Committee: Brenda Robinson (chair), Elissa Kane, Jenna Pitera | Next Meeting: June 10 (Monday) at 6 pm at Washington Ave. Branch

Facilities & Construction Committee: Elissa Kane (chair), Matthew Finn

Nominating Committee: Karen Strong (chair), Elissa Kane, Jenna Pitera

Ad Hoc Committee on North Albany Branch: Matthew Finn (chair), Sarah Shearer

Ad Hoc Strategic Plan Committee: Karen Strong (chair), Elissa Kane, Sarah Shearer | Next Meeting: July 1 (Monday) at 5 pm at Washington Ave. Branch