New Hayward library director named

Jayanti Addleman, the County Librarian and Library Director for Monterey County, was chosen new Director of Library Services for the City of Hayward.

City Manager Kelly McAdoo selected Addleman in December following a competitive recruitment and evaluation process that included interviews with panels of community members, library professionals, Hayward library staff members and the City’s executive leadership team.

Under Addleman’s leadership, Monterey County Free Libraries became recognized as a vibrant organization that encourages innovative ways of stretching resources and delivering services to an extremely diverse population.

She is widely considered a passionate advocate for literacy, inclusion of underserved and marginalized communities, and helping people reach their potential.  She has been recognized for professional achievement, including selection in 2015 as California Library Association’s Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy and as one of Monterey County’s Outstanding Women.

Addleman, who starts in her new position on Jan. 14, began her career at the pioneering online information company Dialog Information Services of Palo Alto. She has worked at Salinas Public Library, Hartnell College and Gavilan College, and earned a Master of Arts degree in English from Jadavpur University in India and a Master of Library Science degree from San Jose State University.