Brian Jones
Senior Director, Reading and Engagement
What I do at The New York Public Library
I lead a new department, Reading and Engagement, that aims to promote a citywide culture of reading and support branch libraries as vibrant reading hubs. Our teams include Readers Services, Outreach Services and Engagement, Adult Cultural Programming, and the Center for Educators and Schools.
Who am I?
I taught elementary grades in New York City's public schools for nine years. I earned a PhD in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center. My library career started at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, where I finished my dissertation as a scholar-in-residence, and later was hired as associate director of education. I also served as the inaugural director of NYPL's Center for Educators and Schools.
Advice for prospective candidates
NYPL is a mission-driven work environment. In my experience, people who fit in well have a good story about why they want to work here, specifically, and how they hope to contribute to the mission.