CURRENT POSITION Executive Director, Worcester Public Library, MA DEGREE MSLIS, Simmons University, 2011; PhD, LIS, Simmons University, in progress FOLLOW linkedin.com/in/jasonhomer Photo by Michael Hendrickson, @unitymike

Signal of Safety

Unlike most of his peers, Jason Homer wasn’t a reader as a kid. It wasn’t until freshman year of college, when he hung out in his school library to get away from his triple dorm room, that he “got” libraries. “The more time I spent there, the better I utilized the resources,” he says. “The librarians were really helpful.” After a foray into classroom teaching, Homer realized it wasn’t for him. So, he followed in the footsteps of the librarians who were part of his early-adult memories. 

Now at the helm of Worcester Public Library (WPL), Homer tackles problems of equity and access: Twenty-two percent of residents in his district were born outside the United States; a fifth live below the poverty line. In overseeing a $13 million library renovation, he prioritized making WPL welcoming and accessible. Homer forged partnerships with tech organizations to provide equipment and services tobridge the digital divide. He went on a listening tour, out of which a new Community Resources Department was born. In just two years, more than 25,000 people—including unhoused individuals, immigrants, re-entry residents, and English learners—have been connected to social workers, workshops, and programs. “I encouraged my team to take chances and make mistakes, and I couldn’t be more proud,” shares Homer. “I am also deeply proud as a gay man leading an organization. I try every day to make myself a signal of safety to everyone in my community. My goal is to empower all people to reach their full potential by removing barriers of access.”