Denise Lyles named supervisor of Harry Bennett and Weed Memorial & Hollander branches

STAMFORD, June 24, 2021 – The Ferguson Library is pleased to announce the promotion of Denise K. Lyles to Supervisor of the Harry Bennett and Weed Memorial & Hollander branches. She replaces Erin Shea, who accepted a job as Director of the Mark Twain Library in Redding.

In this new role, Lyles will oversee staff at both branches, and will focus on establishing new programs and services to welcome back and reconnect with patrons.

“Denise has a wealth of experience in both adult and children’s services and she is the right person to help meet the challenge of expanding service at the Harry Bennett and Weed branches as we continue to get back to normal,” said Ferguson Library President Alice Knapp.

Lyles brings 13 years of library experience to her new role. For the last four years, she was a librarian at the South End Branch, where she managed youth services programs and led outreach efforts to children and young adults. Before that, she worked in a managerial capacity at libraries in New York State, including The New York Public Library and a number of libraries across the Westchester Library System.

Lyles also serves on the Connecticut Middle Grade Nutmeg Award Committee and is a member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, the American Library Association and the Public Library Association. She holds a B.S. in African American Studies from CUNY, Lehman College, and an MLIS from the CUNY, Queens College.

“One of my favorite things at the library has been connecting with people by helping them find books, and sharing stories with preschoolers and toddlers,” said Lyles. “I am eagerly looking forward to working with staff and the community to enhance the library’s mission.”