New Haven Free Public Library Director John Jessen Dies At 56

NEW HAVEN, CT — After what New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said was a "quiet, personal three-year battle with cancer," John Jessen, City Librarian and Director of the New Haven Free Public Library, has died. He was 56.

Elicker said that he learned "with great sadness and a heavy heart" of Jessen's death Thursday night, "with his family by his side."

"John was a dedicated public servant, a great leader and a passionate champion of our public libraries. John was always quick with a smile, a joke, and was resolute in his "can-do" attitude when called upon to lead," Elicker said.

Jessen started his career with NHFPL as a part-time librarian in August 2004, became a full-time librarian in April 2007, became a Branch Manager of the Wilson Library in September 2012, became Acting Library Director in November 2019, and was appointed City Librarian in December 2019.

Lauren Anderson, New Haven Public Library Board of Directors chair said it was a "joy and inspiration" to work with Jessen and "witness his deep love for and dedication to the Library as a public good."

Elicker said that since Jessen took charge of the library in 2019, he "demonstrated so many attributes we all strive to emulate as leaders, first and foremost was his humble and kind service to others."

"John was committed to our libraries being a welcoming place and resource for all New Haven residents, and his professional and personal impact on the New Haven Free Public Library system will live long past his years of service," Elicker said.

Anderson noted that Jessen's "touch, his legacy, is woven across our system and city in so many ways."

"In the neighborhood children to whom he taught chess, in the many patrons he served with a smile, in the staff that he cared for and mentored, in the outreach and expansion of services, like our soon-to-be Sunday hours, for which he advocated so passionately," she said, adding, "And in the example his work ethic and commitment set for others.”

The New Haven Free Public Library, which welcomes 700,000 in-person and virtual visitors annually, 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.

Elicker said Jessen will be "deeply missed."

"The City of New Haven lost a great public servant, but that pales in comparison to the loss felt by his wife Erica, his two children, and the entire Jessen family, with whom our thoughts are with today and to whom we extend our deepest condolences," Elicker said.