By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull Public Library Director Brian DeFelice, who started in his new role on Nov. 20, brings his unique experiences in the library world and “a great deal of passion” to the position.

“I’ve worked in public libraries full-time for many years – this year is my 20th – and I really love working in this setting, supporting literacy and getting the technology libraries offer and related skills out to the public,” the former assistant director of the Scituate Town  Library told The Hull Times.

“I’m happy to help out on a one-to-one basis any of our patrons who would like to learn more about eBooks, audiobooks, the Libby, Kanopy, and Hoopla apps, and the other services we offer, or who are in need of a little help with basic technology issues,” DeFelice said.

One of the reasons DeFelice was attracted to the Hull library is the beautiful historic building, proximity to the ocean, and the friendly and supportive staff and community.

“It has a welcoming feel while also offering the latest technology,” he said. “It’s a jewel of the community, with so much history.”

He also has fond memories of spending time at Nantasket Beach with his family when he was a boy.

“Hull has always been on my map,” he said.

DeFelice replaced Diane Costagliola, with whom he worked for a number of years at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy before she accepted the library director position in Hull. They continued to stay connected at professional conferences and as a friend of his family.

After Costagliola made the decision to leave Hull to become the library director in Sandwich, she encouraged DeFelice to apply.

“Diane always had nothing but great things to say about the Hull library and the community,” he said. “Her praise caught my attention and spurred me to stand up and say, ‘I would love to work there!’”

‘Best fit to lead Hull library forward’

Library Trustee Curt Miller, who served on the library director search committee with select board member Jason McCann and Town Manager Jennifer Constable, said that after holding interviews with each of the four “very qualified candidates” culled from more than a dozen applications, “the committee unanimously agreed that Brian is the best fit to lead the Hull library forward.”

With his skills, experience, and “warm personality, he demonstrated his ability to lead Hull’s superb library staff by encouraging professional growth and a commitment to outstanding service, to responsibly manage the library’s appropriated budget, to enhance the technology of the library through new hardware and software solutions,” Miller said, in addition to “improving digital literacy in the community, and to develop and sustain collaborative relationships with schools, local organizations, and other municipal departments – all of which precisely match what the committee was seeking in the next library director. We are thrilled to welcome him to Hull.”

DeFelice is looking forward to working with Constable and hearing her ideas for the library.

“I think I came here at a good time, and it’s a nice community,” he said.

He left his position as assistant library director of the Scituate library in November to accept the Hull position. DeFelice also served as information technology librarian for the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood and as senior library assistant/information technology at the Thomas Crane library for nearly seven years after serving as interlibrary loan assistant.

DeFelice holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s of library and information science from San Jose State University. He has nearly completed a master’s in public administration from Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School.

He has also earned certificates in advanced leadership, strategic performance management, local government leadership and management, and professional librarianship from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

‘A unique perspective’

“I believe my background gives me a unique perspective on how the library can partner with other municipal departments and how it fits into the broader community,” he said.

In addition to his goal of helping patrons feel comfortable with the technology the library offers, DeFelice would like to start offering services outside of the building, such as pop-ups in areas such as the commuter boat dock, where people can check out books and learn about the services and programs the library offers.

“The library has also connected with the senior center and will be starting a book group there,” he said. “We’re also thinking of other ways to reach out to the community to get more people engaged with the library.”

As part of the effort to create more programming, DeFelice would like to find ways to attract more teenagers, especially since the high school is close by.

“We have programs for children and adults, and we’d like to see more teenage engagement and programming, which we plan to offer.”

DeFelice has always enjoyed reading, especially when he began working in libraries.

“I listen to a lot of audiobooks during my commute from Braintree, when I’m doing chores, or mowing the lawn,” he said. “I have two young kids, and my time is limited, so this is an opportunity to stay connected to reading. Audiobooks are a great alternative to physical books, and I would love to spread the word to others who enjoy reading.”

Books will continue to be the main attraction

That said, “Physical books will absolutely continue to have a major role,” DeFelice explained. “They are in my opinion still are, and always will be, the main attraction the library offers, as they should be. People can take out either physical or audio books, which increases literacy overall.”

In addition to the library’s mission of being a repository for historical and new materials, the Hull library also plans to add unique services and programs that patrons can learn from and be entertained by, according to DeFelice.

As he stated in his letter to the committee, “My experience working in Scituate gives me an understanding of the seasonal nature of Hull’s population and an understanding of Hull’s open town meeting form of government, a government structure Scituate shares. I am excited by the prospect of leading a talented team in a beautiful and historic building and creating an environment where every member of the community feels welcome and inspired.”

In his rare free time, he enjoys spending time with his 10-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son and his wife, Theresa, who works for the Thomas Crane library as head of information and outreach services.

“Libraries are kind of my thing!” he quipped. “I’m a lifelong learner, always trying to learn something new.”

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