WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (June 16, 2020) – The City of West Palm Beach announces the appointment of Lisa Hathaway as the new Library Director of the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach effective Monday, June 15, 2020.  Ms. Hathaway previously served as Mandel Public Library’s Assistant Library Director. She succeeds Christopher Murray, who retired after 18 years of service with the City.

 
Lisa Hathaway

Ms. Hathaway has been with the City’s Library system since May of 2004.  She was hired as the Children’s Librarian and subsequently promoted to Library Manager. She was then promoted to the position of Assistant Library Director, a role in which she served for the past 12 years.

“Congratulations to Lisa Hathaway on her appointment as the new Library Director of the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “Having been with the Mandel Library for the past 12 years, Ms. Hathaway brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position. I would like to thank her for her continued dedication to our city. I am confident that she will continue to help our services to expand and grow.”

Many of the Library’s successes –including the Homework Help Program, Social Media Committee, and Free Summer Lunch Program-- can be accredited to Ms. Hathaway. She was instrumental in the City’s receipt of several awards, such as the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center’s Bright Ideas Award for innovations in government. She has a Master of Science Degree in Library and Information Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Information Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. 

“I am honored to continue to be a part of this great library and city in my new role as Library Director,” said Lisa Hathaway. “I look forward to moving this library, with a team of very dedicated staff, in a direction that is reflective of the needs and interests of our diverse West Palm Beach community.” 

To learn about the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, please visit: http://wpbcitylibrary.org. To contact the Mandel Public Library, please call: (561) 868-7701 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

(Photo caption: Lisa Hathaway, Library Director, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach)