Mary L. Chute, New Jersey State librarian, has made me aware that she plans to retire this fall. Mary has led the New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of the University, for nearly eight years with dedicated service to the State’s libraries, the New Jersey legislature and government employees, TESU staff and students, and registered New Jersey borrowers.

As State Librarian, Mary has led NJSL in the launch of many innovative projects that have helped New Jersey libraries serve as national models for delivering services to all populations of library patrons. Her leadership paved the way for ground-breaking programs in areas including workforce development, re-entry services for the formerly incarcerated, cultural competency and translation training for < span style="color: black;">bi-lingual library staff, preservation and digitization, and disaster preparedness and recovery.

Mary led the expansion of an agency-wide focus on both internal and external collaboration and partnerships during a time of reduced or level library funding, and I am proud of her accomplishments. I would like to thank Mary for her years of service and I wish her the very best in her retirement.

A press release will be prepared in the coming weeks and the University will begin a national search to find the next New Jersey State Librarian. Please join me in congratulating Mary as she begins the transition into her next chapter.

Merodie A. Hancock, PhD |President

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