Nancy Curtin Retires as Port Washington Public Library Director

The Trustees of the Port Washington Public Library announce that Library Director Nancy Curtin is retiring on June 30, 2018, in her 24th year leading Port’s cultural and community center. Under her leadership the Library embraced the digital era, innovated new services and realized large-scale building projects including the new Children’s Library, redefining the library experience for Port’s patrons.

Ms. Curtin is only the fourth Director in the illustrious 126-year history of the PWPL, founded in 1892. Her accomplishments will be celebrated at a community reception open to all on Tuesday, June 19, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., in the Library’s Karen & Ed Adler Art Gallery with a program at 4:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served. A signing book for patrons to express their good wishes is currently available in the Library’s lobby.

Ms. Curtin’s Port career spans 44 years, beginning in 1974 when she was hired as a librarian trainee for the children’s library while pursuing her Masters of Library Science with a working scholarship from the Palmer Graduate Library School at C.W. Post. She recalled, “I was 22 years old and had never been to Port Washington and was awestruck when I pulled up to the new Library – the building had been completed in 1970.

“I loved my time in children’s services. I was a storyteller, a reader’s advisor, a homework helper and I really enjoyed working with children and that has been a guiding light throughout my career in Port Washington.”

Ms. Curtin rose to leadership positions as the head of the Children’s Services Division of the Nassau County Library Association and later as the president of the Member Library Directors of Nassau County, and an advisor for Libraries of the Future.

In 1988 she was named assistant to the director under then director Edward DeSciora and succeeded him in 1994, at a time when libraries were beginning the challenging process of redefinition in the digital age. “Being new in the seat, I established a large community planning committee that ran for 18 months. I wanted to ask the community what the Library could and should provide in the coming five years. It was a good start for a new era. Those discussions led to a plan for expansion and a bond issue passed in 1998 – which, by the way, we made our final payment on earlier this year.”

Funded by that bond, the Library went through its first major renovation since its opening in 1970, creating new space for computers, quiet study, local history, media, a teen space, and a terrace off the reading room. In 2001, the renovated Library opened to great praise and very heavy usage. It established itself as one of the most innovative and highly used libraries on Long Island with a reputation for its wonderful collections, staff and programs. Indeed, Library Journal, which rates the over 10,000 U.S. public libraries by their usage compared to budget, has awarded the PWPL 5 stars, their highest award, five times, making it one of only 85 libraries in the nation to receive that status.

Ms. Curtin reflected, “During my time as director, technology greatly expanded, remote access to library services grew, and outreach to the entire community became an important goal. We reach out to preschool learners, job seekers and adult learners with disabilities. Our ESOL program alone has over 250 students representing 35 different languages.

“As the public’s use of books and information changes, the library keeps pace, shifting direction whenever it can improve its services. Patrons want to use our space not just come in and check out a book, but to stay, study, browse and meet with staff. We provide many opportunities to learn in many ways. We have become a platform for idea exchange. Change always provides opportunity.”

Under Ms. Curtin’s leadership the Library made a commitment to environmental sustainability, installing one of the first solar roofs on a public building on Long Island, and recently completed a total revitalization of the Children’s Library that was fully funded by private donations and government grants, with no impact on the local taxpayer – one of her proudest accomplishments. “The Children’s Library is perhaps the most important room in our Library. It’s where we first meet Port’s families,” she explained.

John O’Connell, President of the PWPL’s Board of Trustees, commended Ms. Curtin on her admirable career. “We entrusted Nancy with the jewel of the community and she has made it shine. We will greatly miss her professionalism, dedication and creativity. We thank her for her many years of service and her strong leadership.” Mr. O’Connell said the board has named assistant director Keith Klang as the new Director. Mr. Klang is a Port native and graduate of Schreiber High School, who following in the tradition of Nancy Curtin, began his career at the Library while still a student.

Ms. Curtin reflected on the changing role of libraries and her career: “People consider us the community’s living room. They don’t just want to be given a printed resource, they want an experience. The Library is no longer passive but an active learning space. That will sustain libraries for years to come.

“This is a very hard job to leave. It has been my life and a joy. It has been an honor to serve the people of Port Washington.”