Courtesy photo
Albie Ashbrook Appointed to New Director
Long Hill Township Library has appointed Albie Ashbrook as its next director, effective in 2024.
Ashbrook, who currently serves as the library’s adult services librarian and assistant director, has worked in New Jersey libraries since 2019, when she received her library degree from Rutgers University. She previously worked in the international development field, leading field offices in Ukraine and Romania, and later worked in international school libraries in Hong Kong and Munich.
“We want Long Hill Township Library to continue to be the go-to place in the community for adults and kids looking to read, learn, and play,” Ashbrook said of her plans for the library in the year ahead. “We aim to provide a space where everyone is welcome to grow as readers, people, and community members.”
Current library director Marygrace Luderitz will retire at the end of 2023. Luderitz has worked at Long Hill Township Library since 2011, serving as adult services librarian, assistant director, and interim director on multiple occasions before becoming the permanent director in February 2021.
Luderitz supervised the library’s reopening during the global pandemic and oversaw a makeover project that included repainting the library, reupholstering chairs, and adding patio furniture to the library’s exterior.
“I have loved working alongside Marygrace over the past few years,” said Ashbrook, praising Luderitz for bringing her “unique blend of fun and function” to the library during her tenure as director.
“She and I have had fun brainstorming new activities, like mini-golf, scavenger hunts, and story walks,” Ashbrook continued. “She showed me that a library doesn’t have to be too serious to do serious work.”
Luderitz said she can’t wait to see what Ashbrook does in the position.
Suzanne Kosempel will replace Ashbook as Long Hill’s new adult services and community engagement librarian. Kosempel joins the library after seven years at Raritan Valley Community College working as an academic librarian.
“Suzanne’s librarian experience at the college level will benefit all of us, especially our teen and young adult patrons,” said Ashbrook.
Kosempel was previously a marketing specialist at Prudential. She has also served on the Library’s Library Board of Trustees for seven years, most recently as its president, and is the secretary of the Long Hill Community Center Board of Directors.
She called joining Long Hill Township Library in her new role a “full circle moment,” having worked at the library at its previous location in Stirling when she was in high school. “I am a strong believer in the power of libraries to enrich our lives and open our minds, and I look forward to serving the Long Hill community.”
In addition to offering books, audiobooks, movies, and even ukuleles for patrons to borrow, the library hosts a diverse array of children’s and adult programming and will continue to do so in 2024. These programs include book groups, kids’ story times, technology help, arts and crafts, language groups, dance and meditation classes, and author talks, as well as special events such as dinosaur parades and parties featuring a chocolate fountain.
“We look forward to welcoming familiar faces and new patrons in the next year,” said Ashbrook. “And to breaking out our chocolate fountain again soon.”
