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 (Bach, Pine Hills)

With steady calm and quiet authority, Mary Coon has been a branch manager since 2011 and currently oversees the Bach and Pine Hills locations. During her 15 years here, she 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.

Sarah Clark, Head of Branches (Arbor Hill/West Hill, Washington Avenue)

Sarah Clark has worked in adult and public service since joining Albany Public Library in 2005. She currently oversees operations at the Washington Ave. and Arbor Hill/West Hill branches. Sarah, a talented musician and songwriter who performs with several bands, may be best known for her unique and award-winning programming. As a librarian, she created the Silent Film Spectacular, a series during which classic silent films are shown accompanied by local bands performing live, original scores, and Garage Bands in the Garage, a summer concert series featuring local rock, hip hop, and alternative bands that takes place in the garage at the Washington Ave. Branch. Sarah honed her customer service skills as head of the Readers Services Department where she spearheaded efforts to streamline and ease the process to get a library card. During her time as head of the Creative Services Department, she developed the Albany Made Creative Lab, which brings creative arts materials and digital technology tools to patrons, and created the fan-favorite Albany Made podcast. A native of Old Forge, NY, Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Hartwick College and a master’s degree in library science from the University at Albany.