UTICA, N.Y. — The Utica Public Library board of trustees announced that it has hired Nathan Jochum as the library’s new director, effective Jan. 5. Hailing from the Midwest, Jochum brings more than 20 years of library leadership experience to his new role. Jochum previously served as director of the Perry County Public Library in […]
UTICA, N.Y. — The Utica Public Library board of trustees announced that it has hired Nathan Jochum as the library’s new director, effective Jan. 5.
Hailing from the Midwest, Jochum brings more than 20 years of library leadership experience to his new role. Jochum previously served as director of the Perry County Public Library in Tell City, Indiana.
As the new director of the Utica Public Library, Jochum leads a team of 21 library professionals, including Assistant Director Heidi McManus who has successfully served as interim director of the Utica Public Library since Christopher Sagaas, former director, left to take a job with the Upper Hudson Library System last May. Additional responsibilities under Jochum’s purview include financial management, donor relations, strategic planning, community relations, and library policy, the library said.
“I am honored to join the Mohawk Valley community and thankful for the opportunity to lead one of its most cherished historic landmarks and public institutions,” Jochum said in a Jan. 6 announcement from the library. “I believe that public libraries are vital to the vibrancy of our communities. Together with the incredible team at the Utica Public Library, and with the support of the Board of Trustees, I look forward to cultivating a premier library experience that we can all be proud of.”
Jochum holds a master’s degree in library and information science from Drexel University’s iSchool and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Indiana.
“Throughout our competitive national search process, Nathan’s passion for relationship building and community engagement shone through,” said Utica Public Library Board of Trustees President, Evon Ervin. “The Board is thrilled to have such a dynamic professional leading our library.”
The origins of a public library in Utica date back to 1838. In 1904, the Utica Public Library opened in its current location at 303 Genesee St. The Utica Public Library is a historic landmark on the National Register of Historic Places and a community hub that provides educational resources and free programming to community members of all ages. The 120-yearold structure has undergone multiple restorations in recent years, resulting in a revitalized physical space for the 31,000-square-foot building.
