Lauren Moore Appointed New York State Librarian

From the New York State Library:

Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Education Mark Schaming today announced that the Board of Regents and Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia have appointed Lauren Moore as the Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and New York State Librarian. Ms. Moore will lead the operations of the New York State Library and serve as the primary representative of the New York State Library and for libraries across the state. She will assume her new responsibilities on August 1.

The New York State Library provides access to information and library services through its Research Library and the Division of Library Development. Ms. Moore will have oversight responsibility for a $12 million operating budget, 100 employees, over 20 million collection items and nearly $140 million in State and federal aid to libraries.

One of the largest research libraries in North America, the New York State Library’s Research Library is over 200 years old. The Library’s holdings include a significant manuscript and rare book collection, as well as holdings in a wide variety of formats, including paper, microform, digital and electronic materials. It is also a Federal Depository and Patent Library; has the responsibility for the acquisition, distribution and maintenance of New York State documents; and is a regional library for the blind and visually impaired in New York’s 55 upstate counties.

The Division of Library Development provides leadership and technical assistance to New York’s 73 library systems through a comprehensive program of State aid for nearly 7,000 public, school, academic and special library services. Staff experts work with librarians, trustees, school administrators, public officials and local leaders to solve problems and find new ways of making library services and resources available to their community. Library Development administers more than $140 million in State and federal aid to New York’s libraries and helps them to take full advantage of federal, state and other funding programs.

Ms. Moore has served in various leadership positions at public libraries and library systems throughout her career. Most recently, she has served as the Executive Director of the Pioneer Library System where she leads the development of 42 small and rural libraries in Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming and Livingston Counties by coordinating shared services. She previously served as the Assistant Director of the Pioneer Library System and the Deputy Director of the Southern Tier Library System. Ms. Moore has also served in leadership positions for various library professional organizations as well as for local, regional and statewide community service groups, including most recently, The New York State Complete Count Commission. The Commission was created to inform and help direct the State’s efforts in the upcoming 2020 Census.

Ms. Moore earned her Master of Library and Information Sciences degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Rutgers University.