Friends of Montclair Library

We’re thrilled to announce that Lynne Cutler, who has been the acting Branch Manager for Montclair Library, is now permanent. Here’s a note of introduction from Lynne:

I want to introduce myself to the Montclair community. I have been assigned temporarily at the Montclair library since January, and was recently offered the branch manager position on a permanent basis and happily accepted it. I am thrilled to be staying here in this beautiful and friendly neighborhood.

I received my Masters in Library Science in 1983 from UC Berkeley. I have worked since at the Oakland Public Library (with 5 years also at the Alameda Free Library). I was at the Main Library until 2008, mostly in the Art, Music, History and Literature Department, but also in the Oakland History Room. I created the library’s disability services program and received City Employee of the Year for that, and a national Library Journal award. I then was the librarian at the African American Museum & Library of Oakland for two years, and Branch Manager at the King branch.

I live in Berkeley with two cats, Delia and Roisin, and a brand-new fluffy grey kitten called Fiona who just arrived this weekend. My boyfriend of nine years, Randy, also a librarian, lives nearby. My passions are many, including travel (I lived 5 years in Europe); reading; Catalan; silent film; folk music; bird watching; passengering on motorcycles…

I am very committed to this community and its library needs. One current project with former librarian Leon Cho is to scan historic articles and photos of Montclair and the library, to make a binder here for the public. Soon we will be able to offer adult programs, since we are getting rolling shelves for the back room. I’d like to offer workshops on using e-books, author programs, and local history talks, for starters. I plan on doing outreach throughout the Village. Collection development and weeding are a large part of the job. I always welcome suggestions on purchases. This is such a reading community! The Friends of Montclair Library, established in 2008, are a fantastic group of library supporters. It is a joy working with them.

Thank you – and next time you are in, introduce yourselves, I’d love to meet you.
Lynne Cutler