A Leader Whose Efforts Have Touched Generations In The Community

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Without community leaders, New Rochelle wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Lisa Itzkowitz, a New Rochelle reader who nominated Tom Geoffino — a familiar face for those of us who have taken advantage of the programs and initiatives he helped put in place in his 18- year career at the New Rochelle Public Library.

How do you know this community leader?

I work with him.

What does this community leader do?

He has two roles: Director of the New Rochelle Public Library and President of the New Rochelle Rotary Club.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Tom has been the Director of the New Rochelle Public Library for the past 18 years. Tom’s vision and tenacity, along with his patience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to help and serve all who come to the New Rochelle Public Library has helped make the Library a true center of our community. During Tom's tenure, NRPL underwent a series of transformative renovations. Under his leadership, NRPL secured over $2MM in library state grants. The funds were used for major improvements and upgrades to both the main branch of the library and the Huguenot Children’s Library. Geoffino successfully led the library through the pandemic by implementing online programs, expanding digital collections, boosting Wi-Fi connectivity in library adjacent outdoor spaces, and creating safe and convenient access to materials through curbside pick up. Additionally, he established partnerships with public health providers to administer vaccines, test kits and masks in the library. Tom’s vision over the years meant expanding and bringing new, innovative services to New Rochelle, including lending technology such as Chromebooks, iPads and Wi-Fi hotspots, expanding and maintaining virtual programming and digital offerings in response to the community’s changing needs, hiring a full time community outreach specialist to connect and assist the city’s most vulnerable residents to community resources, and expanding resources for non English speakers. When asked what is the most important quality a staff member should possess, Tom replied a commitment and desire to serve others, a trait by which he had led the Library throughout his tenure.

Geoffino joined the New Rochelle Rotary Club in 2007 and is currently President, a role he also held in 2016-2017. He became a Paul Harris Fellow in 2016. He has contributed regularly to the service and fundraising activities of the Club, receiving the Club’s Service Above Self Award in 2011 and becoming a member of the Club’s Hall of Fame in 2019.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

He truly lives by the Rotary Club motto, "Service before self." Serving the New Rochelle community has been his top priority since becoming its leader in 2006.

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Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out?

Nominate them here.