Familiar faces step into Greenwich Library leadership
GREENWICH — Joe Williams and Kate Soboleva may be new to their positions as director and deputy director of the Greenwich Library, but the two are not new faces in the community.
Williams came to Greenwich in 2014 as the library’s deputy director, while Soboleva started at the library in 2017 as the information team manager.
“I’m now in my ninth year with Greenwich Library and I’m always amazed with two elements of this community and its library,” Williams said. “First, is their love and passion for their libraries, be it our main facility or the branches. Second, is the commitment of the professionals who work at the library, as well as the trustees and Friends of the Library.”
Prior to working in Greenwich, Williams was the assistant director at SUNY Maritime College’s Stephen B. Luce Library. Soboleva started her professional career in public libraries about 20 years ago, working at the Bethel Public Library, moving from volunteer to the head of adult services.
“Libraries have always held a special place in my heart,” Soboleva said. “They’ve brought me joy and a sense of adventure. But more importantly, I recognize that they provide an opportunity to learn, explore and grow to everyone irrespective of age, race or cultural background.”
Williams started in his new role as director on Jan. 1, but started working with Barbara OrmerodGlynn, former library director, in November to transition into the director role, once she officially announced her retirement.
Soboleva began officially working as deputy director on Feb. 20, but she is continuing to lead the Information Services Department until someone takes over her previous position.
“Information Services is the largest department in the library consisting of approximately 40 fulltime and part-time staff,” Soboleva said. “In the past five years, I supported strategic initiatives in multiple areas including training, software assessment, programming and improving the patron experience. It’s been a challenging and exciting journey.”
As director, Williams said he hopes to fulfill what is outlined in the library’s 2023-25 strategic plan, “Greenwich Library Reconnects.”
The priorities are reconnecting with the community and assessing the current state of the library and the change that comes with new leadership. Through this plan, there will be another strategic plan in 2025, so in preparation, the library staff will be gathering data and conducting “foundational thinking” in the service areas, according to the plan’s executive summary.
“As everybody knows, we have gone through a rough few years of being disconnected and dislocated,” Williams said. “I view the library as being part of the solution to bring people together and build a stronger community. Greenwich Library does that through not only providing materials one wants, but by providing cultural and educational experiences plus a facility and staff to support the community’s creative, personal and business endeavors.”