HYANNIS PUBLIC LIBRARY SELECTS NEW LEADER:ANTONIA STEPHENS TO GUIDE INSTITUTION IN NEW ERA OF EXPANSION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Hyannis, MA October 5, 2020
The Hyannis Public Library (HPL), a private nonprofit organization established in 1865 and the oldest library on Cape Cod, has announced that it has selected Antonia Stephens as its new Executive Director to lead the institution. Antonia will begin her responsibilities on Monday, November 2, 2020.
Linda Bennett, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees, in announcing Antonia Stephens’ selection by the Board of Trustees said, “Antonia was the unanimous choice of our Board of Trustees to become the new “face” of the Library. This is a very exciting time for the Library and the selection of Antonia will help us further enhance the Library’s considerable reputation with the people it serves. Antonia has a proven record as an individual who can open doors of collaboration, has a passion for local community and town government connection, and can foster donor relationships to grow the organization and enhance its impact of the Library in the Barnstable community”.
In particular, Mrs. Bennett noted, “We feel strongly that Antonia has the ability to lead the Hyannis Public Library as we prepare to launch a major capital campaign to fund the construction of a new and improved library facility - a project that will leave a legacy for decades. We are looking forward to watching Antonia’s high energy, innovative instincts, and visionary ideas unfold as she works to engage the community in committing to a project of this complexity and significance.”
Ms. Stephens was chosen from over 300 applicants from 29 states for the position as part of a comprehensive recruitment search conducted by Harrington Management International (HMI) of Osterville, MA, a management consulting firm specializing in nonprofit organizations. Wesley Harrington, CAE, Principal of HMI, said, “ We launched a far-reaching search beginning in June of this year to find a visionary and enthusiastic Executive Director for the Library. As we progressed through our months of research and interviews with these highly qualified applicants, it became readily apparent that one of the very best candidates available to us was right here on the Cape. Antonia brings outstanding experience, passion, and local connection to this transformative position.”
Ms. Stephens has had a long and accomplished career in library work in the Town of Barnstable, starting out in 2001 as a Substitute Circulation Assistant at the Whelden Memorial Library (West Barnstable, MA) before moving on to a variety of key library service positions at the Sturgis Library (Barnstable, MA), and later at the Marstons Mills Public Library (Marstons Mills, MA). In 2015, Ms. Stephens was named Assistant Director of the Cotuit Library (Cotuit, MA). One year later, she was named Director of the institution where she has served as that library’s leader until her current selection as Executive Director of the Hyannis Public Library. She also serves on the Finance Committee of CLAMS (Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing, a non-profit, cooperative association of libraries on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.)
Eager to begin this new venture, Ms. Stephens commented, “I am excited and grateful to join the Hyannis Public Library at a time when everyone is ready to revitalize and look into new areas of growth in library services. The potential for partnerships in the health, social services, business, and cultural sectors is enormous, and the determination of the Library’s Board and commitment of the staff to make this happen is so motivating. I can’t wait to start meeting with residents and stakeholder representatives to hear their ideas and start brainstorming about how HPL can become an even more essential part of this community.”
A Canadian by birth, Ms. Stephens graduated from Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont with a double major in Biology and Dance. She later completed a Master’s degree in Biology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, followed by a second Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario.
Ms. Stephens is very active in the arts world on Cape Cod, as a member of the Movimento Group, which performs dance concerts around the Cape. She has also served as a Modern Dance Teacher working with many Cape Cod-based dance studios, conducting classes for adults and young adults in modern dance and contact improvisation. Antonia and her husband, J.C. Stahl, and their son, Becket reside in West Yarmouth, MA.
Hyannis, MA October 5, 2020
The Hyannis Public Library (HPL), a private nonprofit organization established in 1865 and the oldest library on Cape Cod, has announced that it has selected Antonia Stephens as its new Executive Director to lead the institution. Antonia will begin her responsibilities on Monday, November 2, 2020.
Linda Bennett, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees, in announcing Antonia Stephens’ selection by the Board of Trustees said, “Antonia was the unanimous choice of our Board of Trustees to become the new “face” of the Library. This is a very exciting time for the Library and the selection of Antonia will help us further enhance the Library’s considerable reputation with the people it serves. Antonia has a proven record as an individual who can open doors of collaboration, has a passion for local community and town government connection, and can foster donor relationships to grow the organization and enhance its impact of the Library in the Barnstable community”.
In particular, Mrs. Bennett noted, “We feel strongly that Antonia has the ability to lead the Hyannis Public Library as we prepare to launch a major capital campaign to fund the construction of a new and improved library facility - a project that will leave a legacy for decades. We are looking forward to watching Antonia’s high energy, innovative instincts, and visionary ideas unfold as she works to engage the community in committing to a project of this complexity and significance.”
Ms. Stephens was chosen from over 300 applicants from 29 states for the position as part of a comprehensive recruitment search conducted by Harrington Management International (HMI) of Osterville, MA, a management consulting firm specializing in nonprofit organizations. Wesley Harrington, CAE, Principal of HMI, said, “ We launched a far-reaching search beginning in June of this year to find a visionary and enthusiastic Executive Director for the Library. As we progressed through our months of research and interviews with these highly qualified applicants, it became readily apparent that one of the very best candidates available to us was right here on the Cape. Antonia brings outstanding experience, passion, and local connection to this transformative position.”
Ms. Stephens has had a long and accomplished career in library work in the Town of Barnstable, starting out in 2001 as a Substitute Circulation Assistant at the Whelden Memorial Library (West Barnstable, MA) before moving on to a variety of key library service positions at the Sturgis Library (Barnstable, MA), and later at the Marstons Mills Public Library (Marstons Mills, MA). In 2015, Ms. Stephens was named Assistant Director of the Cotuit Library (Cotuit, MA). One year later, she was named Director of the institution where she has served as that library’s leader until her current selection as Executive Director of the Hyannis Public Library. She also serves on the Finance Committee of CLAMS (Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing, a non-profit, cooperative association of libraries on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.)
Eager to begin this new venture, Ms. Stephens commented, “I am excited and grateful to join the Hyannis Public Library at a time when everyone is ready to revitalize and look into new areas of growth in library services. The potential for partnerships in the health, social services, business, and cultural sectors is enormous, and the determination of the Library’s Board and commitment of the staff to make this happen is so motivating. I can’t wait to start meeting with residents and stakeholder representatives to hear their ideas and start brainstorming about how HPL can become an even more essential part of this community.”
A Canadian by birth, Ms. Stephens graduated from Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont with a double major in Biology and Dance. She later completed a Master’s degree in Biology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, followed by a second Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario.
Ms. Stephens is very active in the arts world on Cape Cod, as a member of the Movimento Group, which performs dance concerts around the Cape. She has also served as a Modern Dance Teacher working with many Cape Cod-based dance studios, conducting classes for adults and young adults in modern dance and contact improvisation. Antonia and her husband, J.C. Stahl, and their son, Becket reside in West Yarmouth, MA.