Library Spotlight

Your name:
Allen McGinley

Organization:
Westfield
Memorial Library

Title:  Director

Location:
550 E. Broad St.

Contact Information: amcginley@wmlnj.org  908-789-4090 ext 4119

Congrats on your new post! How does it make your feel? I’m very excited to join the staff of the Westfield Memorial Library. I have worked at several different public libraries over the course of my career, and I have immensely enjoyed each of those opportunities. But I’m delighted to now work in such an active, vibrant community that is so close to where I live in Union County. Working closer to home gives me the opportunity to be more involved in the community and build stronger relationships with residents and community organizations.

Tell us a bit about yourself and family. I began my career over 15 years ago at the Countee Cullen Branch of The New York Public Library in Manhattan, where I developed a passion for public service, and creating innovative experiences that were responsive to community needs. After leaving NYC for an opportunity in New Jersey, I have remained here ever since, leading libraries in Middlesex and Bergen Counties.

I live in Fanwood with my wife Barbara, 5-year-old son Sam, and new puppy Theo. We relocated from Monmouth County in 2020, and fell in love with the Westfield area.

Tells us about your life in Westfield and why you love the town? There is so much to love about Westfield from the vibrant downtown to the parks and outdoor spaces. In the short time that I’ve been here, I’ve observed that Westfield seems to have an energy around civic engagement and commitment to service that is very unique. I’m looking forward to continuing to build relationships with other community organizations in Westfield, and find ways for the library to meet people where they live, work, and play. Westfield is an ideal place to work in library services because the community places such a value on family, education, and arts and culture.

Can you provide a bit of history on your organization? The roots of the Westfield Memorial Library begin in 1873 as the Every Saturday Book Club when 26 Westfield women started to collect and exchange books. This circulating collection started with just 126 volumes. In 1905, Westfield residents voted to establish a free public library with a Mayor-appointed Board of Trustees, and in 1907 the library opened a new building with a collection of 5,000 books. Westfield Memorial Library has grown to encompass a collection of more than 200,000 print and digital books, and services that include public computer access, printing/scanning/fax services, meeting space, public WiFi, a variety of cultural events for all ages, and much more.

Any big plans ahead for the library? In 2022, the library will be working to expand technology services and access to digital content, including the addition of a new video streaming service. Other planned technology upgrades in the future include consistent updating of public computers and the expansion of self-checkout options.

The library will also be launching a project called 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten to promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers. Studies show that one of the most important predictors of school success is being read to at home during early childhood. This program will help promote early literacy in a fun and easy way, while encouraging parent and child bonding. Residents will be invited to sign their children up through the library’s ReadSquared mobile app, which will track how many books they read to their child.

Even with the ever-increasing world of technology and how it has changed our society, the library seems to be as relevant as ever to our town, correct? Absolutely! The fundamental role of public libraries has always been to improve the quality of life for residents through education, collaboration, and civic engagement. The tools and experiences used to achieve this may change, but the overall function continues to be the same. That being said, it’s critical for libraries to be responsive to the lives of its residents, which is why Westfield Memorial Library has implemented new features including self-checkout kiosks, credit card payment, and invested heavily in eBooks and other digital services.

Why is reading so important to us, especially our children? Reading is the primary way that we as humans learn, grow, and expand our horizons. This is as true for adults as it is for children. But it’s especially critical for children as they work to develop language skills, concentration, and a general understanding of the world around them.

Any recommendations for our moms and dads as they help their children evolve? Making use of the public library can help children evolve in a variety of ways. Reading diverse books improves empathy by giving readers the experience of thinking about the perspectives of people who are different from them. Public libraries are the great equalizer because they offer free and open access to everyone. Visiting public libraries and attending programs gives children the opportunity to meet, play, and learn from other children in the community that they may not ordinarily come in contact with.

How can the community help your organization?  Can neighbors get involved? Say hello! I love meeting residents and learning about their challenges, passions, and aspirations for Westfield. I think it’s the library’s responsibility to work collaboratively with residents to build a more vibrant and engaged community.

And residents can join our 501(c)3 non-profit support group, the Friends of Westfield Memorial Library. The Friends work to improve the quality of library services through fundraising and advocacy.

Any other information you would like to include? Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at amcginley@wmlnj.org or 908-789-4090 ext. 4119. I love to meet residents and learn how the library can be more responsive to their evolving needs.