Director of Adult Reading, Programs and Partnerships

Department: Branch Services & Programs

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Reporting To: Brian Jones

Compensation: $140,000 - $180,000 / year

Description

About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library (NYPL) is the nation’s largest public library system, with 92 locations across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, including 88 neighborhood branch libraries where this role will focus its work. For nearly 130 years, NYPL has been a vital democratic institution, ensuring free and equitable access to books, information, and opportunities for all New Yorkers and people worldwide.

In 2025, NYPL launched its Five-Year Strategy, a bold plan to strengthen the Library’s role as a civic and cultural leader. Anchored by three strategic pillars - Reading, Learning, and Research, the plan reimagines how NYPL connects with communities citywide and ultimately, worldwide.

Within this framework, the Reading Strategy takes center stage. At a time when deep engagement with books is threatened by digital distraction and misinformation, NYPL is recommitting to reading as the foundation of critical thinking, empathy, and civic participation. The Library aims to expand access to books and programs, reaching 1 million active borrowers by 2030.

The Director of Adult Reading, Programs & Partnerships will play a critical role in advancing this vision, ensuring that adults across New York City have access to reading and literary culture through multiple entry points, from the experience of browsing the shelves of a local branch library, to encountering the bookmobile on city streets, to innovative programs, inspiring cultural experiences, and other meaningful opportunities to connect with books, authors, and each other.

Job Summary The Director of Adult Reading, Programs & Partnerships will provide systemwide leadership for adult-focused reading, outreach, and programs that inspire lifelong learning, foster community, and expand access to literary culture. Reporting to the Senior Director of Reading & Engagement, the Director will play a pivotal role in advancing the Library’s Reading Strategy by implementing adult-centered initiatives, cultivating high-profile partnerships, and amplifying New York City’s reading culture.

The Director will oversee Outreach Services & Engagement, Adult Cultural Programming, and Reader Services, unifying these areas into a cohesive portfolio that supports the Library’s strategic goals. This role will serve as a connector between NYPL and New York City’s publishing, cultural, and philanthropic sectors, building relationships with publishers, authors, bookstores,  funders, and literary organizations to expand the reach and sustainability of adult programs. Internally, the Director will align adult engagement efforts with Research, Children’s, and Teen Services to strengthen systemwide impact.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:
Own:

• Strategic leadership across Adult Cultural Programming, Outreach Services & Engagement, and Reader Services, ensuring these portfolios are integrated into a unified adult engagement strategy.
• Oversight of literary and cultural programs for adults—including large-scale, high-profile events and flagship programs, as well as localized, branch-based initiatives.
• Strategic advancement and improvement of the in-branch user experience with browsing and discovery of books.
• The cultivation of key relationships with programmatic, publishing, and community partners to expand outreach and engagement.
• A dynamic portfolio of projects at various scales, balancing the curation and development of new programs with the management of diverse funding sources and evolving operational needs.
• Reporting, data analysis, and storytelling about this portfolio for internal and external stakeholders.
• The promotion of a healthy work culture, clear operational structures and guidelines, and opportunities for staff development and growth.

Teach:

• Innovative methods for engaging New York City’s diverse communities of adult readers.
• Best practices in program/initiative development, outreach, and evaluation.

Learn:

• The evolving needs and interests of New York City's diverse adult populations, with a focus on reading behavior, trends, and demand for literary and cultural programming.
• The scope of existing outreach efforts, including the operation of three NYPL bookmobiles.
• The opportunities to improve the in-branch and out-of-branch reader experienc