Mayor Promotes Kilburn To Framingham Library Director

The following is a press release from the City of Framingham

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FRAMINGHAM – Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer is thrilled to announce that she has appointed Lena Kilburn, upon the recommendation of the Board of Library Trustees, as the new Director of Framingham Public Libraries.

Kilburn is a library veteran who has worked her way up through most facets of library work and has served as Assistant Director of the Framingham Public Libraries since 2015.

As Assistant Director, she was the liaison between City administration, library staff, and patrons regarding the impact of interdepartmental decisions. Kilburn was responsible for the Marketing, Library of Things, Spark Lab and Social Media Committees, and oversaw staff scheduling, career development and wrote and administered grants.

Before being named as the Assistant Director, Kilburn worked for the Framingham Public Libraries as Assistant Supervisor of Branch Services and Assistant Supervisor of Children’s Services. Prior to coming to Framingham Libraries in 2013, she was the Instructional Services and Evening Supervisor at BostonUniversity Libraries.

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“There were some excellent candidates who were vying for this position, and Lena was just the best fit,” said Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer. “I knew that we would have big shoes to fill with Library Director Mark Contois’ retirement. Based on the leadership and skills that Lena already demonstrates, I am confident she is the right person to grow Mark’s legacy and make her own indelible mark on the City.”

“At the heart of every community is a strong and vibrant public library, and Framingham is no exception,” said Lena Kilburn, presumptive Director of Framingham Public Libraries. “It’s been a privilege to contribute to Framingham, and I look forward to continuing the great work of the library in the future.”

“Lena appealed to the Board because of her passion, talent, and experience. We are confident that her can-do attitude, relationships in the City, and ability to connect with our community will be assets as she transitions from Assistant Director to Director,” said Elizabeth Roy, Chair, Board of Library Trustees. “We believe she is well-poised to lead the Library into a ‘new normal’ and beyond.”

“I’m excited for Lena and Framingham,” said Mark Contois, current Director of Framingham Public Libraries. “She will do so many great things for the City. I can’t wait to see how Framingham Libraries evolve under her leadership.”

The Hiring Committee, made up members of the Board of Library Trustees, people from the community, and representatives from the library staff, received nine applications, offered interviews to six applicants, interviewed five of those, and selected two finalists to forward to the full Board of Library Trustees.

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Each finalist gave a ZOOM presentation to Library Staff, who provided feedback to the Board, which also interviewed each finalist. After thoughtful deliberation, the Board unanimously chose Kilburn as the preferred candidate. On a motion to recommend Kilburn as the next Director, the vote was 11-1, with one Trustee preferring a six-month interim period.

Kilburn has a Master of Science in Library Science from Simmons College. She also has both a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music History and Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts.

Her official start date as the new Director is August 31, 2020.

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