Save & Close
Somerville Branch Welcomes Jen Sulligan
About Blog Post
Aug 16, 2023
by SCLSNJ
Share your journey to branch manager:
After earning a bachelor of fine arts degree in visual arts, I thoroughly expected to exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. Obviously, that did not happen. However, that experience nurtured my curious creative thinking, and eye for really good design, paving the road to where I am now. After working in a few Manhattan-based photography archives, the decision was made to capitalize on my resulting love of categorization and organization, enroll at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information, take courses in archives, and earn a master’s degree in library science. While there, an outreach course flipped the switch, turning my attention to public libraries. After 15 years in the profession, having worked in public, school, and academic libraries, my SCLSNJ journey began at the Manville branch in 2018 as an adult services librarian, later transferring my skills to the civic services department, where I helped launch Home Borrowing and Community Living Library Services. Subsequently, I led adult services at the Hillsborough branch, where we launched a creative aging series connecting older adults to art education and social interaction. Finally, here I am at Somerville.
Why Somerville?
Just take a look around the borough. It is a vibrant, historic, fun, diverse place that also serves as the county seat - this is where the action is. We have a fabulous art community, successful local businesses, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and its crucial Babs Siperstein PROUD Center, County administration, social services, and lots of new residences. Somerville, with its eye to the future and endless opportunities, is a really cool place to live, work, and visit. One of my goals is to build back and develop the Library's connections to the community - and I am ready for the challenge. We are starting by getting Library services, resources, programs, and materials to our neighbors living in the Somerville senior citizens housing building. We are also in the planning stage of a partnership with The Edge at Main, bringing convenience to its residents with materials delivery through their own concierge service, and a monthly on-site book club.
What is your favorite Library resource that you feel should no longer remain a secret?
There is a common misconception that the Library has abundant opportunities for children, but very little for adults beyond books and computers. However, the Library is bursting at the seams with opportunities for adult learning, recreation, and social events; it is also the place to go if you want to develop your creative interests and hobbies. Here, you can take an art class, learn how to make kombucha or play the ukulele, pick up an interesting recipe along with a spice sample, and check out that brand-new graphic novel you've been meaning to read - so, come on in.
Recommendations from Jen Sulligan:
- Anything by Stephen King, especially “It”
- Anything by Joe Hill
- “Tomorrow: A Novel” by Damian Dibben