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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
There’s been a new face among the staff of the Medfield Public Library. After saying goodbye to their former director in October of last year, the library is delighted to introduce Meena Jain as their new director.
As a young professional, Meena’s aunt told her that libraries would be gone in 20 years. So, she went into the field of social work.
After her daughter went to preschool and a librarian position became available, however, she decided to change careers.
Since beginning her journey in the field, Meena has completed her Master’s degree in library sciences, worked as a children’s librarian, an academic librarian, and has been involved as both a librarian and director of several Massachusetts public libraries.
Meena brings a wealth of enthusiasm and experience to the Medfield Public Library after having served as Natick’s Bacon Free Library’s director since 2014. Her work at the Bacon Free Library was a testament to her passion for and dedication to library services. While she adored the small library and the community that supported it, Meena felt compelled to apply to the Medfield Library when the role opened up.
“I’ve just heard so much about this community,” she said. “I’ve heard so much about the staff; the people that come to this library; the town administration, which supports the library so much. This was one that really checked all the boxes for me. It’s really welcoming – and that’s my top priority in a library, of course, to just be really welcoming – but also innovative. And the people here are so passionate about what they do.”
Meena said that she has jumped into her new role feet-first and has already worked with the Medfield Public Schools’ libraries to bring children’s author Kwame Alexander to town in March. She’s also actively planning new adult programs, a trivia night, a royal wedding party, and collaborating on the teen space renovation to be completed by the end of May.
Mostly, she hopes to bring in more members of the community and continue to make the library such a vital place in town.
“In the week that I’ve been here, I’ve seen seniors and children, teens and tweens, and just everybody walk through the doors,” she said. “In some ways, it already is a community center, but I want it to be more. I want it to be what is called a ‘third place.’ People say that there’s home, then work, and then the library. I want people to feel like they can come here and feel like themselves.”
While her aunt, who doubted the future of libraries, certainly stands corrected, Meena knows that libraries will continue to evolve in coming years to meet the needs of their patrons.
“I think that libraries originally were for reading and learning – and they still are – but they’re also a place to gather and connect,” said Meena. “The Medfield Library already does that so well, but I’m here to make sure that it continues to do so.”
Library patrons are welcomed to stop by on Thursday, February 15, for a meet and greet with Meena from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to discuss the future of the library and get to know its new director.
