New Haven Appoints New City Librarian
By Michael Kelley Oct 13, 2010Christopher J. Korenowsky became the City Librarian of New Haven on October 4, replacing Jim Welbourne, who is retiring after ten years.
"Words cannot express how thrilled I am to join the New Haven Free Public Library as the City Librarian," Korenowsky said in a city press release.
Enhancing the system's technology, information access, and community outreach are high on Korenowsky's agenda.
"My goal will be to continue to embrace new and exciting industry changes while still honoring traditional library values," he said.
For the past 18 months, Korenowsky, an Ohio native, has been the director of professional development for the Ohio Library Council, in effect the Ohio public ibrary association. Before that he worked for more than 20 years in various positions at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. He has an MLIS from Kent State.
"For all intents and purposes, I've worked in a public library since I was 15," Korenowsky told the Yale Daily News. "Public libraries are in my blood."
State of the system
Korenowsky takes over a system that has had essentially flat funding since FY2008-09 and reduced hours. The operating budget for FY2010-11, which began in July, is $3.8 million, or $31 per capita based on a legal service area of 124,220.
The library also has $550,000 budgeted for capital projects, primarily a new technology lab and training center on the lower level of the central branch, Kathie Hurley, the library's public information officer, told LJ.
Welbourne told the Yale Daily News that he hopes Korenowsky can restore staff positions (now at 45, down by five retirements from FY09-10), raise funds to support collections, and collaborate more with New Haven public schools.
"Christopher has had experience in long range planning, policy development, instructional design and development, branding, fundraising and capital campaigns," said Library Board President Elsie Chapman. "His experience and keen vision for the role libraries must play in the future plus his high energy, enthusiasm and proven ability make him a superb choice for New Haven's seventh City Librarian."
