CURRENT POSITION Adult Programming & Services Librarian, New York Public Library DEGREE MLIS, Kent State University, 2012 FAST FACT Every evening Stall tries to read at least one random Wikipedia entry for something, or someone, he knows nothing about. FOLLOW   linkedin.com/in/gregory-stall-50a9b641 Photo courtesy of New York Public Library

Programmed to Succeed

Shortly before Gregory Stall completed his MLIS, two simultaneous internships—at the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress—introduced him to the excitement of public programming with formidable collections. At New York Public Library (NYPL), he has tapped into his own curiosity to stoke interest and bring the community to the library, both in person and virtually.  

Stall has created a range of innovative programming in partnership with other staff. Examples include What’s Your Type: Examining Joseph Campbell and Character Archetypes Today, a six-part deep dive into Campbell’s archetypes and their influence on art, film, and scholarship; Beyond the Score, an online exploration of classical composers featuring NYPL’s performing arts archival collections; and the all-ages LP Club, which mimics the format of a virtual book club to discuss classic albums, from Kind of Blue to London Calling to Back to Black.  

For Stall, it’s all about watching the community learn. “One of my favorite aspects of my work is recognizing the public gain from something I have done. The patrons use our services and materials as a launching point,” he says. “Ideally, they continue to grow and we continue to grow with them.” 

He hopes to see all NYPL programming reflect increasing needs for equity and access. While not a substitute for in-person events, virtual programs are accessible to everyone everywhere, including the homebound and those with workday and caregiving responsibilities. The result, “a more culturally and intergenerationally diverse audience,” sounds a lot like one of Stall’s ideal events.