Jersey City Public Library Board Appoints New Director Terry Hill

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Come September, the Jersey City Free Public Library will have a new director. Mayor Steven Fulop and the Board of Directors of the Jersey City Free Public Library announced on Friday that Terry Hill will take over as director.

Hill holds extensive library experience including success in improving digital equity, especially for low-income youth within Durham, North Carolina, where he has served as Deputy Director of Library Services for the past decade. Hill starts on Sept. 20.

“Terry Hill stood out amongst the impressive applicant pool for his 27 years of successful leadership within urban library systems and establishing strong relationships with the surrounding communities,” said Mayor Fulop, who serves on the JCFPL Board’s search committee. “His knowledge and understanding of issues, trends, and practices of urban library management will be a great asset as he oversees our 10 Library locations citywide, the largest municipal Library system in New Jersey.”

As the new Library Director, Hill will oversee the entire Jersey City Free Public Library System, which includes 144 experienced and dedicated staff members within the Main Library location, 9 Library branches spanning the City, and a Bookmobile. The Jersey City Free Public Library is the largest municipal Library system in New Jersey.

“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Hill as the Director of the Jersey City Free Public Library,” said Library Board President Al Anton. “He has a proven track record of effective organizational transformation and forging meaningful relationships with the community, and is enthusiastic to use his depth of skills and knowledge to help continue drive JCFPL forward. We are looking forward to seeing Mr. Hill solidify the Library’s role as a trusted community partner to improve the lives of Jersey City residents.”

Hill most recently served as Deputy Director of Library Services at Durham County Library for nearly a decade. Throughout his 27-year career, he has gained substantial experience in the administration of libraries, shaping him into a thoughtful, innovative, and trusted leader.

“I look forward to building community partnerships to address issues such as the increasing digital divide,” said Terry Hill. “The past year has highlighted how critical libraries are and how our communities rely on our services. This is a challenging yet exciting time for libraries, and the JCFPL is well-positioned to meet and exceed our community’s needs and expectations.”