Arlington’s director of libraries, Andrea Nicolay, has accepted the position of executive director of the Albany Public Library in Albany, N.Y. Her last day in Arlington will be Friday, July 1.
“Andrea has been a tremendous leader for both the libraries and the Arlington community and her contributions will be sorely missed," said Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine in a May 24 news release.
"From her work on library programming to the Reimagining Our Libraries effort to her leadership role in the creation of Arlington’s first cultural district, Andrea has exemplified a true passion and care for Arlington, its libraries and its residents.”
Nicolay began as assistant director of Arlington’s Libraries in 2012 and was appointed director in 2015. Read about that here >>
In her nearly 10 years in Arlington, she increased access to library resources by eliminating fines and rental fees, adding summer Saturday hours in July and August, and securing municipal funding for Sunday hours.
She and the library trustees also successfully advocated to strengthen library staffing, adding a full-time children’s librarian at the Fox Library. Read about here >>
Nicolay ensured continuity of library services during the Covid-19 pandemic by directing resources to expand digital-collection offerings, supporting virtual programs for all ages and restoring access to the library’s physical collections and spaces.
"Andrea has been an exceptional leader and champion for the Arlington libraries,” said Jonathan Gates, library trustees' chair.
“It has been a pleasure to work with her to improve access, build out our collections and increase her staff in support of our community. Andrea leaves us with a great strategic road map to improve our library for years to come. The Albany library is lucky to have her and we wish Andrea continued success with this next chapter in her life."
In addition to taking on what she describes as an exciting new challenge, Nicolay also looks forward to being closer to family who live in the Albany area.
“I've had the opportunity to lead an extraordinary team of library workers,” Nicolay said in the release. “I’m grateful for a supportive board of trustees and an incredibly hard-working group of library fund-raisers and volunteers. I am proud of all that we've accomplished together. It’s been a privilege to serve Arlington and I will miss this wonderful community.”
Nicolay's annual salary is $130,748, Personnel Director Caryn Molloy reported.
Just last Saturday, she was under a Robbins Library tent as part of the Spring Fling in Arlington Heights.
Oct. 15, 2015: Amid tradition, new director aims to reimagine library for 21st century
This news announcement was published Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
