Brooks Library Names New Director

 HARWICH – Mark Ziomek is the new director of Brooks Free Library. He comes to the position with 35 years of experience in library related services in the federal government, including work at the Library of Congress. 

An Orleans resident, he also serves as a trustee at Snow Library.

 Earlier in the year he served as interim library director at the Brewster Ladies’ library. In an introduction letter to the Brooks Free Library trustees, Ziomek wrote that the Brewster experience was so rewarding that it convinced him to seek full-time employment as a public library director. 

 His timing in making that decision could not have been better with the retirement of Brooks Free Library Director Ginny Hewitt, who served in that capacity for 26 years. The library trustees established a search committee consisting of three members — trustees Linda Cebula and Tricia Murray and Librarian Jamie Thornton. The committee received 10 applications and selected four finalists.

Cebula said the director’s job has many key responsibilities, including managing the library, its personnel and collections, technology and public information. The position is also responsible for all policies and procedures impacting emergency preparedness and the safety of premises, staff and patrons.

“Mark is the clear choice for the position,” Cebula wrote an email. “He comes with excellent references that stressed how terrific it is to work with him. He comes with strong experience in management of library operations and staff, including all aspects of personnel management. He has both librarian and trustee experience. As Brooks embarks on strategic planning, his background will greatly assist the trustees as the road for the future is envisioned.

Ziomek’s “warm personality and easy style” also make him a good fit with the staff and patrons, she said. “This will enable him to create bonds with other town departments and with town administration. We are glad to have him as our library director.”

 “Over the course of my career with the federal governmentI I had the opportunity to work in a variety of libraries,” Ziomek wrote in his letter to the trustees. “I have considerable experience as a manager, where in addition to leading library staff I directed cataloging and acquisitions activities, interlibrary loan services, reference and research, resource development, public programs, and managed customer and donor relations.” 

He took over as the new director of the library on April 13.

From 1984 through 2019 Ziomek held several library positions in the federal government, including director of the library at the United States Holocaust Museum; senior cataloging librarian for the Library of Congress; chief of public services division for the National Library of Medicine; and manager of library services for the Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C. Ziomek has a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Illinois.

He is presently halfway through his second three-year term as a library trustee in Orleans, where he helped develop the library’s current strategic plan.

As for his first impression, Zoimek praised the staff that Ginny Hewitt put together, adding that the board of trustees is also very supportive, which will help him to better serve the library, community, staff and town.

As for new goals for the library, Zoimek said his plan is to look at all the library policies to make sure they are up to date and comprehensive. Library programming is also a priority. He said he plans to work with the board of trustees on a strategic plan. There is no better time than at the change of leadership to address strategic planning, he said, but added that he will need a bit more time on the job and consultation with the board of trustees before getting into strategic planning details.

“Summer is coming, and taking care of the public takes priority,” said Ziomek of the best use of his time.