Kathy Mulholland, director of the Freehold Public Library in New Jersey, holds a master’s degree in library and information science from SC&I and a bachelor’s degree in English and Religious Studies with a minor in History from Lynchburg College. Having formerly served in a variety of roles with the Ladacin Network (formerly Cerebral Palsy of Monmouth and Ocean Counties), she considers herself a librarian almost by accident. She picks up her story here.

“A long-time patron of Freehold Public Library, I joined the staff in 2006 as senior library assistant responsible for children’s programs and collection. Discovering myself well-suited for the work, I began my master’s degree work at Rutgers SC&I in 2011, achieving the degree in 2013. I remained a library assistant at Freehold for several years, loving the work, the people, and the challenges and opportunities presented by a small, independent community library. In 2019, I became the director of Freehold Public Library. It was just in time for the COVID-19 interruptions and a major renovation of the century-old Carnegie Library building.”

“As a second (or third or fourth) career worker, I encourage others considering the profession, as nothing is wasted. The wide range of my seemingly unrelated prior experiences and personal interests better equipped me for success in the roles of librarian and library director during these interesting times.”

Giving a brief yet tantalizing overview about herself on LinkedIn, Mulholland reveals, “I have an MLIS from Rutgers (cool, I know). And I get to work with folks of all ages and walks of life and situations in my job at Freehold Public Library (but mostly with children and teens, even cooler, right?!). And I have written a bunch of songs and a book or two. And know how to fly an airplane and fix lots of random things. And I'm a former opera singer and play guitar and spoons (the kind you use to eat cereal). And I love Jesus, and I delight in making people laugh. And the thing I aspire most to be is interesting. Maybe I am and maybe I'm not, but that aspiration keeps me moving.”

Certainly interesting to us, Mulholland answers a few of our questions.

SC&I: What led you to choose the graduate program at SC&I?

KM: Key factors for me included the ability to achieve the degree entirely online, while also being close enough to participate in campus life or attend in-person classes as able. I pursued the degree while working full-time and parenting four children. Plus, I was impressed by the excellent reputation of the Rutgers SC&I program.

SC&I: What SC&I classes or instructors had the most impact on you?

KM: While all my instructors were excellent, late Associate Professor of Library and Information Science Ross Todd was tremendously engaged and reassuring, especially for “returning (read: older) students” who were readjusting to an academic environment after years away. My one on-campus course (Outreach) was the most fun. The specific courses that had the most enduring relevance to my own career, so far, were related to information technology, intellectual freedom, and reference work. Having already achieved significant experience in a public library setting, I was able to select courses which I anticipated would be particularly useful (and they were).

SC&I: What advice do you have for current and/or prospective SC&I students?

KM: Don’t hesitate to bring your unique gifts forward into your learning experience. At the same time—though it may be tempting to believe that “education” is mostly an opportunity to show what you already know or earn a degree to get you a better job–the best outcomes are indeed rooted in incorporating what you learn from the material, instructors, and peers into your own development as a professional. While maintaining academic integrity and rigor, find and use your own voice. Allow yourself to be surprised, flexible enough for resilience in the face of setbacks and mistakes, and open to growing in unexpected directions and ways.

Photo: Kathy Mulholland