Interim Director Of New Rochelle Public Library Appointed

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — While the New Rochelle Public Library looks for a candidate to fill the shoes of it longtime director, an interim director has been chosen to take the reins.

The New Rochelle Public Library announced that the board of directors appointed Joslyn Bowling Dixon to the position of interim director, effective May 1.

Bowling Dixon holds a BA in English from Hampton University and an MLIS from Dominican University, in River Forest, IL. She is originally from Aurora, Illinois and currently lives in the far western suburbs of Chicago with her husband.

The board says that Bowling Dixon brings substantial experience in library management, having previously worked as the library director at Oak Park Public Library and holding positions of increasing responsibility in library services, including director, at the Newark Public Library.

Bowling Dixon is also involved in numerous professional activities and community services, including the Public Library Association, the Urban Libraries Council, and the American Library Association, where she was recently chosen to participate in ALA Advocacy Day and the #FundLibraries campaign on Capitol Hill, which successfully lobbied to maintain federal funding for public and school libraries in the 2024 fiscal year budget. She is a Silver Star member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and also a member of the Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated.

"I'm deeply thankful for the family ties that brought me to New Rochelle, allowing me the chance to serve the city, to support the staff and to work with the board as they transition to the next well qualified library director, " Bowling Dixon said. "I'm honored by the Board’s and Bradbury Miller's trust in my capacity to lead during this transitional period."

The Director Search Committee, working with search firm Bradbury MillerAssociates, is in the process of developing a pool of candidates, one of whom will be selected to serve as the next full time director, succeeding Tom Geoffino who retired on April 15.

"The Board is confident that Joslyn will add great value to our talented and dedicated leadership team during this transitional period," NRPL Board President Whitney Barrat said.

Find out more about the New Rochelle Public Library on their website.