For Immediate Release – July 14, 2021
Garrison, NY – The Desmond-Fish Public Library (DFPL) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Deirdre (Dede) Farabaugh as the next Director of the Library, located in Garrison.
Ms. Farabaugh, a resident of Cold Spring, brings a strong background in a range of librarian roles, including directorship experience. Anita Prentice, DFPL Board President, states: “We believe that Dede will prove to be an exemplary leader at the Desmond-Fish for many years to come. She has a commitment to creating opportunities for life-long learning that are rich and meaningful.”
Originally from Maryland, Ms. Farabaugh is a graduate of Mills College in Oakland, California, and was employed by Apple, Inc. as a corporate writer and producer. Transitioning to a service-oriented career, Ms. Farabaugh obtained dual graduate degrees. She holds a MLIS from Long Island University’s Palmer School of Library and Information Science, and a Master of Arts in Visual Culture from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; both degrees were awarded magna cum laude. She gained experience as a reference librarian in three academic libraries: Mount St. Mary College Library in Newburgh, New York University’s Bobst Library, and the Baruch College Library. For many years, she served as Senior Librarian for Children’s Services at the Grand Central Branch of the New York Public Library.
Most recently, Ms. Farabaugh has served as the Director of the Putnam Valley Library, where she created programming, collections, and services to support all members of the community, including Courageous Conversations About Race and Coffee with a Cop.
Kyle Good, co-chair of the Desmond-Fish Search Committee, comments: “We interviewed many qualified candidates from five states, but Dede stood out due to her energy, creativity and commitment to serving all members of the community. She will be a strong leader for our outstanding Library staff.”
Ms. Farabaugh will begin her duties in late August; until then, the DFPL will continue under the management of Interim Director Pam Read and Interim Assistant Director Nancy Young.
According to Ms. Farabaugh, “I am excited to continue my librarianship career in the town where I myself live. As libraries are the heart of their communities, living and working within the same area will allow me to develop more natural partnerships and outreach opportunities, while using the contacts and skills I have within the county, the system, and the profession.”
Contact: Pam Read, director@desmondfishlibrary.org, 845-424-3020