The Fanwood Memorial Library is preparing to welcome a new chapter in its history following a highly competitive search for its next Library Director. The search drew a strong response from qualified candidates, reflecting both the strength of the library’s new facility and the desirability of Fanwood as a place to live, work and build community. The Borough is pleased to announce Kelly Yim as the new Library Director.
Yim will assume leadership of the Fanwood Memorial Library marking an important transition for an organization that has long played a central role in the life of the community.
Yim brings 20 years of experience with the New York Public Library, most recently serving as a Senior Manager and Branch Leader. Her previous roles included System-Wide Program Director for Adult Services and System-Wide Collections & Budget Manager. Throughout her career, she has been a visible community leader, building relationships with residents, schools and civic organizations and working to establish the library as a trusted community hub. She is a past President of the Public Libraries Section of the New York Library Association and a frequent speaker at conferences on inclusive programming, racial equity and community engagement. She holds an MLIS from Pratt Institute and a New Jersey Professional Librarian Certification. Yim is committed to strengthening libraries as welcoming, responsive centers for learning, culture and connection.
The search was conducted with the assistance of Library Crossroads Consulting, a firm specializing in helping public libraries recruit leadership. The firm’s consultants brought extensive experience in public library administration and director searches to the process.
Allen McGinley, a Library Crossroads consultant and the Director of the Westfield Memorial Library, said the response to Fanwood’s search stood out even among the many library leadership searches the firm has conducted. McGinley is also a Fanwood resident, giving him a unique perspective on both the professional opportunity and the community.
“We received an unusually high response to this search compared with many of the other searches we conduct, and the quality of the candidates was exceptionally strong,” said McGinley. “To me, that says a lot about how desirable Fanwood is as a community and what an attractive opportunity this is for a library leader. Fanwood has invested in creating a truly exceptional library and community resource, and there is a real opportunity for the next director to build on that investment.”
Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr said the strong interest in the position demonstrates that the community’s investment in its library is already paying dividends.
“This is a very exciting moment for Fanwood and for the Fanwood Memorial Library,” said Mayor Colleen Mahr. “For nearly three decades, the library has benefited from dedicated leadership, and now we have an opportunity to welcome a new Director, Kelly Yim, who will no doubt help shape its future. The tremendous response to this search speaks volumes about Fanwood. People recognize what a special community this is and the commitment we have made to creating a first-class library and community hub for our residents.”
The search comes less than two years after Fanwood opened its new Library in September 2024. The new facility was the culmination of years of planning and investment and includes expanded spaces for children and teens, meeting and community gathering spaces, a business center, gallery space and other amenities designed to make the library a central gathering place for residents of all ages.
The Fanwood Memorial Library Board of Trustees is responsible for hiring the Library Director and overseeing the continued development and operation of the library. A Search Committee composed of three Trustees – Ken Sommer, Jenn Coppock-Huegel and Nicole Haley – worked closely with the Consultants to vet the many candidates, conduct in-depth interviews and recommend a finalist to the Board. The Search Committee was honored to have the responsibility to find the next Director who will lead the Library into its next chapter.
The new Director will inherit a library with a modern facility, a welcoming and attentive staff and a strong foundation of community support, while having the opportunity to develop new programs, partnerships and services that respond to the changing needs of Fanwood residents.
The Fanwood Memorial Library is located at 5 Forest Road and serves residents of Fanwood with library resources, programs, educational opportunities and community services. Please visit www.FanwoodLibrary.org for more information.
