Mark Bartlett Named New Head Librarian of The New York Society Library

New York, NY-The Board of Trustees of the New York Society Library announces with pleasure the appointment of Mark Bartlett the new Head Librarian.  The New York Society Library is the city’s oldest continuously existing library, and its Head Librarian is the institution’s director and head of operations.  Mr. Bartlett has been serving in this position in an interim capacity since December 2005.
 
Charles G. Berry, Chairman of the Library’s Board and head of the Search Committee, commented, “We are delighted that Mark Bartlett has been selected as our new Head Librarian.  He has demonstrated a keen appreciation of and dedication to the mission of our distinguished Library, which is unique among New York cultural institutions.  We look forward to his continued success in serving our loyal members, maintaining and developing our marvelous collection of books, and expanding our public services through educational programs and technological innovations.”

A native of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Mr. Bartlett holds a B.A. with Honors in English and German from the University of New Brunswick and a Master in Library and Information Studies from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  He joined the Library staff from the Arizona Ross-Blakley State University Law Library in Tempe, where he was Associate Librarian and Head of Technical Services.  Mr. Bartlett served as the New York Society Library’s Head of Cataloging from March 2004 until December 2005.

Prior to his stint at Arizona State University, Mr. Bartlett was an officer of Bartlett Hunter Information Consultants in Halifax, which designed and implemented databases for diverse collections in libraries, hospitals, and other organizations. He was also the Head of Technical Services at Dalhousie University's Sexton Library (formerly Technical University of Nova Scotia) from 1993 to 1999.  He has also been active in a broad range of professional activities and professional organizations during his career.  Mr. Bartlett is married to Sue Hunter, a librarian at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising.

The New York Society Library was founded in 1754 by a civic-minded group called the New York Society and is a not-for-profit corporation largely supported by membership fees and by income from its endowment and by tax-deductible contributions. The Library’s early users included George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, and it has a long tradition of association with many distinguished writers such as Washington Irving, John James Audubon, Herman Melville, Willa Cather, and W.H. Auden.  Today it is open to all for reading and reference, with circulation and other services by subscription.  Its general collection of approximately 270,000 volumes has particular strengths in English and American literature and criticism, biography, history, the social sciences, the arts, exploration and travel, and New York City history and culture. There is also a vibrant children’s library.  The Library is now located in its fifth home, a landmark former townhouse at 53 East 79th Street in Manhattan.  

Although the Library is more than 250 years old, Mr. Bartlett is only its eighteenth Head Librarian.  

The Board and staff of the Library congratulate Mr. Bartlett on his appointment and look forward to continuing to work with him to maintain and improve New York City’s oldest library. 

Extensive information on the Library, its history, and its trustees and staff can be found on its website, www.nysoclib.org.