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Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) has named Edwin B. Maxwell Chief Librarian effective today.
Previously, Maxwell served as the Senior Director of Neighborhood Services, overseeing nearly 700 employees, the operations for 60 neighborhood branches, and BPL’s satellite services division which includes the systems’ four bookmobiles.
“Since his early days at Brooklyn Public Library as a young trainee, Edwin Maxwell has demonstrated a passion for libraries and the role they play in demoractizing information and opportunity,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “He is poised to lead our efforts as we build library services to meet the challenges of our times.”
He began his career as a youth services librarian, creating programs like the Growing Dollars and Sense Teen Virtual Investment Club—which connected young people with finance professionals to learn about financial literacy tools and prepare for a lifetime of investing. The program gained national attention and Library Journal recognized Maxwell with its Mover and Shaker award.
Over a nearly 20-year career at Brooklyn Public Library, Maxwell has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as the manager of New Lots Library. During his tenure, the branch was awarded the prestigious Revson Award for outstanding community service.
In his most recent role, he managed numerous major renovations, expanded Satellite Services, and launched the Teen Tech Center network, significantly growing the number of centers available to Brooklyn teens. He also positioned BPL to take a stronger role in environmental and civic engagement, embedding sustainability and civic dialogue deeper into the library’s mission and daily operations.
Maxwell remains deeply committed to improving the lives of Brooklynites and ensuring the Library remains a trusted community anchor and place of discovery for all. “Brooklyn Public Library is one of New York City’s most powerful civic institutions, and it has been my home for almost two decades. I’ve seen firsthand how our branches transform lives. I am humbled to take on this role and to advance our mission of ensuring Brooklyn has a library system that reflects its people, meets their needs, and opens new possibilities,” he said.
In addition to his career in Brooklyn, Maxwell has also worked for New York Public Library and Wyandanch Public Library. He earned a master’s degree in library science at Queens College and a bachelor’s degree in business at Cheyney University, the nation’s oldest historically Black university.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.