The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Announce the Addition of Four New Librarians

Gloucester, MA (April 1, 2019)  – –  The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library (SFL) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new key additions to its staff.  Lara Vilahomat has recently joined SFL as the new Community Librarian, Gabriela Toth was appointed the new Technology Librarian with Jacklyn Linsky the Local History Librarian and Haley Hart as the new Teen Librarian Assistant.

“I am delighted to welcome such an exceptional and experienced group of professionals to our dedicated and talented staff at SFL,” stated Deborah Kelsey, the SFL’s Library Director.  Their collective experiences and knowledge will make an immediate and positive impact at the Sawyer Free Library and help us continue to serve the diverse and growing needs of our greater Gloucester community. All four new staff are all so approachable I know that the community will welcome this team of dynamic smart women warmly. “

Having just relocated from Arkansas with her archeologist husband, Lara Vilahomat brings her extensive library experience of creating and implementing programs and outreach events for a community of all ages to her new position as the Library’s Community Librarian.  “I am thrilled to be joining the Sawyer Free Library,” said Vilahomat. “I’m honored to be part of a team that provides its residents with such high-quality library services, and I look forward to developing partnerships and outreach programs that help meet the literary, educational, and recreational needs of the community.”

Previously Vilahomat was the sole Outreach Coordinator of the Reference Department at the busy Central Arkansas Library in Little Rock and then served as the Children’s Librarian Assistant at the Cabot Public Library. Lara earned a Masters in Library Science from Texas Woman’s Colleges and has a Masters in Medieval Literature from the University of York England.  Along with her degrees, experience, endless energy, she is also fluent in Spanish. 

“In my time working in libraries, I have found real joy in striking the balance of helping and teaching others and my love for technology,” stated Gabriela Toth, SFL’s new Technology Librarian.  “I became a librarian because I wanted to put books, resources, and technology into the hands of the people who need them. I firmly believe that with the right outlook and literacy skills, technology can make people’s lives easier.  I am excited to promote all SFL’s resources and make sure that patrons of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds knows all that the library has to offer.” 

Toth most recently was an Adult Services Librarian at the main branch of the Cambridge Public Library in Cambridge, MA and before making the switch to public libraries she worked as a librarian at EBSCO, a library vendor with a focus on research databases and eBooks. She served on the Stonewall Book Awards committee in 2017 and 2019. She holds a Masters in Library Science from Simmons College and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies with minors in Journalism and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University.  

Jacklyn Linsky, a Gloucester native and graduate of the city’s High School, recently received her Masters Science of Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archival Management from Simmons College.  She also holds a Bachelors of Arts from Lassell College.  Linsky brings to her new position as SFL’s new Local History Librarian, excellent archival experience from her internships at the Peabody Essex Museum and Historic Beverly.  She said, “I love that I now have the opportunity at the SLF to help preserve the rich history of the city that I grew up in and get the chance to work with the community that means so much to me.” 

As she begins her new position as the Teen Library Assistant, Haley Hart is also working towards completing her Masters in Library Information Science at Simmons College.  She received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.  At SFL, patrons can find Hart in the Teen Corner or at one of the public service desks to help young adults in whichever department they visit.  She explains, “The library should be a place that teens can come for help, acceptance, ongoing learning and fun.  Being young and still in school myself, it is easy for me to relate to our teens and discover what excites and motivates them so that the Library can best support the development of their interests and abilities.”