Judith Tolchin, the acting director of the Monmouth County Library System since January 2014, has been appointed the new library director.
She received the appointment at the most recent meeting of the Monmouth County Library Commission on Aug. 11 at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury.
Tolchin, who has been with the library system for 23 years, immediately outlined a vision and her plan of action and expectation for the coming years through a presentation she made at the meeting, covering everything from the need and desire for facilities improvements to the headquarters in Manalapan, to grants, corporate sponsorships and other means to raise funds to supplement county taxes that finance the library system’s 13 branches and 14 member libraries, according to a press release.
“We are very pleased Judi has accepted the position of library director,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, the liaison to the library system. “Her qualifications, experience and public service acumen make her the ideal choice.”
“Judi has done an exceptional job as acting director over the last 18 months and has proven to be, following a national search, the most qualified candidate to take the leadership role in the county library,” Library Commission Chairwoman Renee Swartz said.
Tolchin earned her master’s degree in library and information science from Rutgers University, graduating with honors. She holds an undergraduate degree in personnel and industrial relations, with a minor in economics, from Ithaca College, according to the press release.
Within the library system, she has served as branch manager and chief librarian at the headquarters in Manalapan, librarian for the children’s department, and public relations librarian.
“She has been responsible for branch operations as the chief librarian and knows every facet of the vast and fine library system Monmouth County boasts,” Burry said.
In a presentation to the commissioners at their meeting, Tolchin said her vision incorporates recommendations made in a consultant’s recent study of the library system that was commissioned by the Board of Freeholders, as well as expanding on technology, an improved website, access to collections and access for the physically disabled for the library website and a catalog upgrade to facilitate searches.
Tolchin also highlighted programming possibilities to “literally put the library in the palm of your hand.”
The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders created the library system in 1922 and aims to help patrons meet their educational, recreational and cultural needs through collections, professional services, information resources and innovative programming, according to the press release.