The Board of Trustees of The Free Public Library of Woodbridge today announced the appointment of Monica F. Eppinger to the position of library director. The library director oversees the operations of the Woodbridge Public Library system — Woodbridge Main Library, Fords Branch Library, Henry Inman Branch Library and the Iselin Branch Library. Eppinger succeeds Christine Murchio, who retired from the director’s post in January 2016.
“We are very excited about the selection of Monica Eppinger as our new library director. We believe she will be a great fit in the Woodbridge community and that her experience and energy will greatly benefit our library system and members,” said Peggy Mayerowitz, president, Woodbridge Public Library Board of Trustees.
“The Library Board of Trustees conducted an extensive and wide-ranging search and interviewed a number of individuals for the director’s position. Monica Eppinger emerged as the candidate with the most experience and greatest scope of service,” said Mayor John E. McCormac. “I have great confidence that Monica’s background and experience in library services will advance the longstanding reputation of the Woodbridge Public Library as the best library system in the State of New Jersey. We are pleased to welcome Monica as a member of the administration’s professional team.”
According to the Library Board of Trustees, Eppinger offers more than 15 years’ experience working in the New Jersey public library system — most recently as the assistant library director at the Elizabeth Public Library system, which is also a system with a main library and three branches. Eppinger has extensive experience as an E-rate coordinator experienced in public library technology development and managed development of a Google Group for library newsletter distribution, collaboration in the development of the ElizPL Boopsie app, Google calendar, web page and Facebook/Twitter/Instagram presence, and organization of a social media MeetUp program that led to the establishment of a monthly Writers’ Café. Eppinger has achieved success in securing library funding grants with the New Jersey State Library grant program; the New Jersey Council for the Humanities; Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission Arts & History grant program; Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs Arts Grant; and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant.
“I am thrilled to begin working with the Board of Trustees of The Free Public Library of Woodbridge and the administration of Mayor John E. McCormac, the professional staff of the Woodbridge Public Library, the Friends of the Woodbridge Public Library, and most importantly, the members of the Woodbridge Township community. The Woodbridge Public Library has the reputation of being an excellent and beloved cultural institution and resource. My goals are to continue to guide the library into the digital age, find creative and cost-effective ways to increase programming, and to further the Woodbridge Public Library and branch system as a vital community center for learning and knowledge,” Eppinger said.