The City of Jersey City has recruited a new public library director from North Carolina and Terry Hill is set to start his new gig on September 20th, officials said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Terry Hill has extensive library experience that includes improving digital equity, especially for low-income youth within Durham, North Carolina, where he served as deputy director of library services for the past decade.
As the new library director, Hill will oversee the entire Jersey City Free Public Library System, which includes 144 experienced and dedicated staff members within the main library location, nine library branches spanning the city, and a Bookmobile.
“Terry Hill stood out amongst the impressive applicant pool for his 27 years of successful leadership within urban library systems and establishing strong relationships with the surrounding communities,” Mayor Steven Fulop, who serves on the JCFPL Board’s search committee, said in a statement.
“His knowledge and understanding of issues, trends, and practices of urban library management will be a great asset as he oversees our 10 library locations citywide, the largest municipal Library system in New Jersey.”
Hill most recently served as Deputy Director of Library Services at Durham County Library for nearly a decade. Throughout his 27-year career, he has gained substantial experience in the administration of libraries, shaping him into a thoughtful, innovative, and trusted leader.
“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Hill as the Director of the Jersey City Free Public Library,” added Library Board President Al Anton.
“He has a proven track record of effective organizational transformation and forging meaningful relationships with the community, and is enthusiastic to use his depth of skills and knowledge to help continue drive JCFPL forward. We are looking forward to seeing Mr. Hill solidify the Library’s role as a trusted community partner to improve the lives of Jersey City residents.”
Hill has served on the board of directors for the Durham Literacy Center and the Digital Durham Collaborative, which is a group of community organizations and nonprofits dedicated to addressing the three pillars of digital equity: access to internet service, access to devices, and improving gateway literacy skills.
“I look forward to building community partnerships to address issues such as the increasing digital divide,” stated Terry Hill.
“The past year has highlighted how critical libraries are and how our communities rely on our services. This is a challenging yet exciting time for libraries, and the JCFPL is well-positioned to meet and exceed our community’s needs and expectations.”
While at Durham County Library, Hill has focused on developing and implementing operations strategies to achieve the mission and vision of the Library.
He has been able to bring resources into the Durham County Library via grants, such as a $100,000 grant from the National Institute of Health to provide health literacy and education in the community.
Under his leadership, his staff received national recognition for expanding technology services to teens.
Hill succeeds Jeffrey Trzeciak, who left after 15 months for the same position in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio.
