New director Radwa Ali will begin on July 22
MONTCLAIR, NJ (June 21, 2024) — Janet Torsney will retire from her position as Director of Montclair Public Library at the end of July. Torsney has held the position since August 2022, following a nationwide search by the Board of Trustees and having served the prior six months as Interim Director.
Torsney will be succeeded by Radwa Ali, currently the Director of Roxbury Public Library in New Jersey. Ali will begin her role on July 22.
Torsney steered the Montclair Public Library through a post-pandemic period of renewal, restabilization, and growth. During her tenure, the Library:
- Expanded its open hours to pre-pandemic levels
- Saw increases in total budget, in-person visits, program attendance, circulation, community-hosted events, and outreach
- Set forth a Strategic Road Map for 2023 to 2026
- Dedicated the Kathryn Perino Outdoor Library, a permanent seating area and garden in front of the Main Library
- Launched a Library of Things and Seed Library
- Worked with community partners to win a Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which resulted in 49 events attended by 1,768 people
- Worked with the Montclair Public Library Foundation to secure a generous grant from the Partners for Health Foundation, which will fund a social worker for two years
A library professional since 2008, Torsney has served in leadership positions in New Jersey libraries for over a decade, including Interim Director of Caldwell Public Library; Assistant Director of Montclair Public Library; and Director of Bradley Beach Public Library, Keyport Free Public Library, and Brielle Public Library. Prior to entering the library field, she worked in public affairs and communications for almost 30 years. She holds an M.S. in Library Science from Rutgers University and a B.A. from Georgetown University.
Torsney spent most of her childhood as a Montclair resident. As an adult, she once again called Montclair home from 1992 to 2010, raising two daughters during that time. She currently resides in Asbury Park with her husband.
About the Montclair Public Library
Founded in 1893, the Montclair Public Library serves the residents of Montclair, New Jersey. It has two facilities: the Main Library at 50 South Fullerton Avenue (open seven days a week) and the Bellevue Avenue Branch at 185 Bellevue Avenue (open six days a week). In 2023, the Library saw 170,000 visits; circulated 390,000 items including books, eBooks, movies, Wi-Fi hotspots, museum passes, tools, and recreational objects; and welcomed 22,000 participants in a wide variety of programs that reflect Montclair’s energy and diversity. Visit montclairlibrary.org for hours of operation and current services.