Meet Ashland’s New Library Director, Meena Jain
Ashland’s new library director, Meena Jain. (Photo/supplied)
By Cynthia Whitty
Meena Jain was hired on April 12 to replace Ashland Public Library Director Paula Bonetti, who retired this past winter. A librarian for the past 16 years, Jain has held all levels of library positions and served as the director of the Bacon Free Library in Natick, all of which helped prepare her to take on her new role.
Ashland Local Town Pages interviewed Jain to find out a little about her background, what it’s like to be the library director in a pandemic, and what her goals are for Ashland.
Whitty: What prepared you for this job?
I’ve been a librarian since 2005—I came at it later in life, I was a social worker before I had kids—but I’ve been a lifelong reader and user of libraries. In fact, when I was deciding on a career path, I asked my aunt who was a librarian if I should go in that direction and she said that libraries would be gone in 20 years. I’m happy to say that her fortune telling skills were on the fritz and I’m exactly where I want to be.
I think what’s prepared me for this job is having had experience in every aspect of libraries: I’ve been a children’s librarian in an elementary school; I’ve worked in technology, programming, reference, circulation, tech services, and so forth, so I have a deep grounding in what it takes for a library to run. I was fortunate to be the director of the Bacon Free Library in Natick for three years, which really prepared me for this position—learning how to be both an inward and outward facing leader of a small library that served a very supportive community.
Having worked in big and small libraries, I’ve learned that working in a town like Ashland is a perfect fit for me. It’s a community that loves its library, we can get to know our patrons by name—we’re kind of like “Cheers” for libraries :), and we can provide services both singly and in collaboration with other community organizations to bring the best services to our patrons. But, getting to know people as they walk in the door is the biggest appeal to me.
Whitty: What is it like to be the director in the middle (or maybe, the end) of a pandemic?
The pandemic has been so awful for so many reasons, but I think libraries have pivoted to continue to provide services and programs to their communities to keep people connected during such a disjointed time. I love that the Ashland library has allowed for both curbside and browsing so that people could get their materials and come to a safe space to be away from the stressors for a short time. From what I’ve seen, the Ashland library staff (and library staff across the country) have been heroic in their commitment to continue to provide for their communities. It’s an honor and a pleasure to join this team to continue this dedicated service, and to also figure out what we can do differently (or the same) in the future. The pandemic has been terrible, but it has also given us an opportunity to rethink our service model and consider how we can provide innovatively in the future. This time, right now, is an exciting time for me to join the Ashland Public Library.
Whitty: What are your plans and goals for the Ashland library?
Of course, the first goal is to reopen to the public safely, both for patrons and for the staff. We are actively working with the town administration and the Library Board of Trustees to see how that can happen. Beyond that, I’m learning what Ashlanders want from their library; this will be incredibly important in the next year as we figure out our “new normal” and create our five-year strategic plan. In conjunction with the Friends of the Ashland library, I’d like to bring back and enhance the library programming, both in-person and virtual, reach out to our community partners to see how we can collaborate in the future, as well as make sure that every person in Ashland can feel there is something at their library for them.
Whitty: What do you read in your spare time?
I read almost anything but I really enjoy romance, science fiction, historical fiction, steampunk, and, although I’m not the best cook, cookbooks. I also love children’s books and still try to get my kids to listen to me read aloud. It was much easier when they were in elementary school but I think reading aloud is something for every age, hence, my love of audiobooks!
I live nearby and am enjoying my 12-minute commute. I’m married with two kids, one who graduated from college two years ago, one graduating in May. When I’m not working, I like to read, try new foods, hang out with friends, travel, and buy antiques.”
Jain wants to remind residents that the library has a new newsletter. Patrons can stay up to date on library news by subscribing on the town website, www.ashlandmass.com/184/Ashland-Public-Library.
By Cynthia Whitty
Meena Jain was hired on April 12 to replace Ashland Public Library Director Paula Bonetti, who retired this past winter. A librarian for the past 16 years, Jain has held all levels of library positions and served as the director of the Bacon Free Library in Natick, all of which helped prepare her to take on her new role.
Ashland Local Town Pages interviewed Jain to find out a little about her background, what it’s like to be the library director in a pandemic, and what her goals are for Ashland.
Whitty: What prepared you for this job?
I’ve been a librarian since 2005—I came at it later in life, I was a social worker before I had kids—but I’ve been a lifelong reader and user of libraries. In fact, when I was deciding on a career path, I asked my aunt who was a librarian if I should go in that direction and she said that libraries would be gone in 20 years. I’m happy to say that her fortune telling skills were on the fritz and I’m exactly where I want to be.
I think what’s prepared me for this job is having had experience in every aspect of libraries: I’ve been a children’s librarian in an elementary school; I’ve worked in technology, programming, reference, circulation, tech services, and so forth, so I have a deep grounding in what it takes for a library to run. I was fortunate to be the director of the Bacon Free Library in Natick for three years, which really prepared me for this position—learning how to be both an inward and outward facing leader of a small library that served a very supportive community.
Having worked in big and small libraries, I’ve learned that working in a town like Ashland is a perfect fit for me. It’s a community that loves its library, we can get to know our patrons by name—we’re kind of like “Cheers” for libraries :), and we can provide services both singly and in collaboration with other community organizations to bring the best services to our patrons. But, getting to know people as they walk in the door is the biggest appeal to me.
Whitty: What is it like to be the director in the middle (or maybe, the end) of a pandemic?
The pandemic has been so awful for so many reasons, but I think libraries have pivoted to continue to provide services and programs to their communities to keep people connected during such a disjointed time. I love that the Ashland library has allowed for both curbside and browsing so that people could get their materials and come to a safe space to be away from the stressors for a short time. From what I’ve seen, the Ashland library staff (and library staff across the country) have been heroic in their commitment to continue to provide for their communities. It’s an honor and a pleasure to join this team to continue this dedicated service, and to also figure out what we can do differently (or the same) in the future. The pandemic has been terrible, but it has also given us an opportunity to rethink our service model and consider how we can provide innovatively in the future. This time, right now, is an exciting time for me to join the Ashland Public Library.
Whitty: What are your plans and goals for the Ashland library?
Of course, the first goal is to reopen to the public safely, both for patrons and for the staff. We are actively working with the town administration and the Library Board of Trustees to see how that can happen. Beyond that, I’m learning what Ashlanders want from their library; this will be incredibly important in the next year as we figure out our “new normal” and create our five-year strategic plan. In conjunction with the Friends of the Ashland library, I’d like to bring back and enhance the library programming, both in-person and virtual, reach out to our community partners to see how we can collaborate in the future, as well as make sure that every person in Ashland can feel there is something at their library for them.
Whitty: What do you read in your spare time?
I read almost anything but I really enjoy romance, science fiction, historical fiction, steampunk, and, although I’m not the best cook, cookbooks. I also love children’s books and still try to get my kids to listen to me read aloud. It was much easier when they were in elementary school but I think reading aloud is something for every age, hence, my love of audiobooks!
I live nearby and am enjoying my 12-minute commute. I’m married with two kids, one who graduated from college two years ago, one graduating in May. When I’m not working, I like to read, try new foods, hang out with friends, travel, and buy antiques.”
Jain wants to remind residents that the library has a new newsletter. Patrons can stay up to date on library news by subscribing on the town website, www.ashlandmass.com/184/Ashland-Public-Library.
