Melanie Metzger here! I’m currently serving as the Interim Director for Albany Public Library, but my normal position is the Assistant Director and FFAPL Board Liaison. I’ve been working in libraries for over 20 years now and you name it, I’ve probably done it. From academic libraries, archives, public libraries, children’s, young adults, adults, technology, programming, teaching, strategic planning, policy work, leadership, and innovation….I’ve done it all.
I grew up in southern New York and went to Syracuse University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees – “Go ‘Cuse!” After testing out the waters a bit at Syracuse University and then in my hometown public library, I decided to stretch my wings a bit and flew on down to Texas where I worked in the Houston area for over 10 years. New York drew me back in, however, and I’ve been here at Albany for almost 9 years now.
I enjoy gardening and cooking with my husband and two kids, bringing a little of the heart from Texas in our hot pepper garden and hot sauce. When I’m not at the library, you will most likely find me in the kitchen whipping up something for our next round of entertaining.
As mentioned above I have served as the Liaison between the Albany Public Library and the FFAPL Board. I most often assist with the logistics of programming and events at our many branches, from the book sales and Tuesday Book Talks to the Gala and other special events.
I’ve always been one of those individuals who has an incessant thirst for knowledge as well as a desire to help people. I always used to joke, if there was a way I could be a professional student, I would; and libraries have fit that bill for me personally. I love that every day, I can help people in wildly different ways and each one helps to enrich their lives and make them better in some way. Whether that’s finding someone the next great novel to read, helping someone apply for a job, getting a better insight into a medical diagnosis, or assistance in starting a new business. To know that I may have played a small role in someone’s future success is what keeps me going.
Photo by Lark Street Photo
Meet Our Board posts will be running in the month of March. We want to let the public and our donors know all of the dedicated volunteers who serve on the FFAPL board. And, if you are interested in joining our board, contact us and someone from the Board Nominating Committee will follow up with you.
Melanie Metzger is the Interim Director of the Albany Public Library.
