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Mayor Sarno Appoints a New City Library Director

March 5, 2010 - Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that he has appointed Molly “Lee” Fogarty as Director of the Springfield City Library.  Fogarty has been serving as Interim Library Director since August 5, 2009, after former Library Director Emily Bader retired after 36 years of dedicated service to the residents of Springfield.  The Springfield Library Commission voted unanimously on February 3, 2010, that Lee Fogarty be recommended to Mayor Sarno for appointment as Library Director.

Fogarty has been employed by the Springfield City Library for over 30 years, serving as Supervisor of the Brightwood Branch (1978-1979), Manager of the Brightwood Branch (1979-1992), Library Co-Director (1992-1994), Assistant Director (1994-2009) and Interim Library Director (August 5, 2009 – present). 

In addition to her professional work experience, Fogarty serves on the Western Massachusetts Regional Library Executive Board, and has held various posts with the American Library Association, Massachusetts Library Association, Massachusetts State Advisory Council for Libraries and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. 

Fogarty holds a Bachelors Degree in English from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island (Kingston, Rhode Island). She is a member of the American Library Association, Public Library Association, Library Management and Administration Association, Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Services, New England Library Association and the Massachusetts Library Association.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated that “Molly Fogarty is a talented professional who will ensure that the City continues to have outstanding public libraries for our residents.”  “Molly’s professional experience makes her a great asset to the Library Department and the City,” said Sarno.

Mayor Sarno also recognized the efforts of former Library Director Emily Bader, who passed away in December 2009, stating that “Emily served the Libraries and residents of Springfield with a tremendous amount of passion and she put her heart and soul into the library system.”

 

Library Director Molly Fogarty stated “The Springfield City Library has a long and distinguished history and is a greatly respected institution, symbolizing the best in community values and culture in providing services to the residents of Springfield.”  “I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead and know that with the support of Mayor Sarno, Springfield residents and library users, the Springfield Library Commission and our dedicated staff, the Springfield City Library will continue to provide innovative services,” added Fogarty.

For over 150 years, the Springfield City Library has provided public library service to area residents.  Starting with a single central library in 1857, the Springfield City Library today maintains ten neighborhood branches.  Using state-of-the-art technology, the Library provides free and easy access to information and the opportunity for lifelong learning through a variety of programs and services, including Internet access at each location.

Fogarty will earn an annual salary of $95,000.  

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