Ann Scott Named New Atheneum Executive Director

Ann Scott, formerly of the Basalt Regional Library in western Colorado, will become the Executive Director of the Nantucket Atheneum in mid-September. Scott recently served as executive director at Basalt and prior to that worked at the New Port Ritchey Public Library in Florida in a variety of roles.

Scott will take over from retiring executive director Molly Anderson, who started in May of 2005. Scott begins the new position on September 16 and Anderson will remain on the staff for a short transition period.

“We are confident that Ann is the right leader for the next phase of the Atheneum’s extraordinary history and will continue and expand the outstanding programs and services, strong connection to the community, and track record of innovation and imagination that have become the hallmark of of the Atheneum under the leadership of Molly Anderson,” said Joan Gulley, Atheneum board chair, in a prepared statement.

First an undergraduate at Hodges University, Scott earned a Masters in Library Science from Drexel University. She was the unanimous choice of the Atheneum board following a nationwide search, Gulley said.

The Nantucket Atheneum, formed in 1834 as a private, membership organization, has had eight librarians in its storied history, beginning with famous astronomer Maria Mitchell. The library trustees voted to make the Atheneum a free, public library in 1900 and it has served the community ever since.

In her role as the institution’s ninth director, Scott will oversee all aspects of the Atheneum, which include circulating collections of books and media for children, teens and adults, an archival collection of historic artifacts, stewardship of the historic 1847 building and garden, and the execution of more than 1,300 programs a year.

Please visit http://nantucket.s433.sureserver.com/ about/atheneum-today/the-islands-unique-library/ for more information about the Atheneum’s history.