Geauga County Public Library is pleased to announce that Margaret Chatfield has been hired as Head of Youth Services, Assistant Manager at Geauga West Library in Chesterland. In her role, Ms. Chatfield is responsible for coordinating youth programming at Geauga West, supervising staff, working with a team of librarians throughout the system and supporting the literacy, materials, reference and collection services of the library system.
Ms. Chatfield joins GCPL with 17 years of library experience. Most recently, she worked as the Children’s Librarian since 2006 at Shaker Heights Public Library. Additionally, she worked at the Portsmouth Free Public Library in Rhode Island as the Children’s Librarian Supervisor. Earlier in her library career, she held positions as a Children’s Librarian at Chesapeake Public Library and also as a Library Assistant at Old Dominion University Library in Virginia. Ms. Chatfield holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hiram College and a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Catholic University of America.
“Margaret brings a depth of knowledge in working with diverse populations,” says Linda Yanko, Manager of Geauga West Library. “She is well versed in children’s literature and in programming for our youngest readers. Her storytime curriculum encourages a love of learning and early literacy. We are extremely pleased to have Margaret in this position.”
Chatfield’s experience in the Chesapeake Public Library system influenced her career’s direction. “Children’s services were at the heart of my department,” she says. “The library set the standard on what and how they offered children’s programming. I am very happy to have had this valuable experience.”
Ms. Chatfield enjoys biking along the towpath in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park as well as the Maple Highlands Trail. She is an avid reader and enjoys the work of Cynthia Rylant, Dave Pilkey, Sarah Weeks and Ann Hood. She lives in Novelty with her two cats and two parakeets.
She began her GCPL position on Oct. 19. “Geauga has a fantastic library system,” Chatfield says. “I’m thrilled to be here and I am looking forward to getting to know the patrons and continuing the best programming to meet their needs.”
