After more than forty years working in the Monroe County Library System (MCLS), Patty Uttaro is passing the torch to a new director of MCLS and the Rochester Public Library (RPL). Uttaro has worn a Jesse Bear character costume; taught herself the first version of HTML; and overseen Central Library, its ten branches, and system operations for its twenty member libraries. Read on to see what else this seasoned library pro has seen accomplished and hopes for the future.
How did you decide to become a librarian?
My mom was a school librarian, and one of my favorite things was helping her with collection inventory every summer. That’s probably what led me to work at the Gates Public Library as a page starting in 1978, but I’d never considered it a career.
Later, I worked in a clerical position in the MCLS Children’s Consultant Office with two women who would shape my career: Ann Gibson and Carolyn Schuler. Both encouraged me to finish my undergraduate degree and move on to library school, and I received my masters in library science from the University at Buffalo in 1998. The rest, as they say, is history.
What other jobs did you hold in MCLS?
1984: Overdues clerk at Gates Public Library. It was my job to manually type and send out all the notices on overdue materials.
1986: Catalog department clerk at the Central Library. I took a new full-time position, processing the buying list orders for all the libraries in MCLS.
1988: Children’s consultant’s office clerk at Central Library for MCLS. I worked in a clerical position, where my interest in early and family literacy began.
1990: Principal library clerk at Gates Public Library. I was in charge of Circulation Services.
1996: Young adult services librarian at Ogden Farmers’ Library.
1999: Director at Ogden Farmers’ Library.
2007: Assistant to the director at Central Library. I was put in charge of the Personnel and Communications offices.
2008: Assistant director at Central Library for MCLS.
2009: Director of RPL and MCLS.
What are the biggest library changes you have witnessed?
I’d say the introduction and advancement of computers was the biggest change with the most impact. As a person who appreciates and is interested in history, the digitization of library materials is akin to a miracle for me. That I can sit in my home in pajamas and slippers and read fifteenth-century manuscripts from the British Library or listen to original jazz recordings on the Library of Congress website still blows my mind. Libraries have pivoted to embrace technology to do what they have always done best—gather and preserve the history of the world.
That leads me to the second evolutionary thing to hit libraries during my career—the introduction of e-books. Libraries found a way to loan e-books and e-audiobooks and even stream video content. (All of you paying $14.99 a month for Audible? You can get most of the things you want to read for free through the library collections!)
What are some of MCLS’s greatest achievements?
We are fortunate to live in a community that clearly values libraries. I think the number of new library buildings that have been constructed and existing libraries that have been fully renovated is a major achievement.
I am also proud of the fact that MCLS members have been leaders in the movement to eliminate overdue fines on library items. Removing barriers to library service leads to more equitable library use, and the action has resulted in more people getting library cards and using the library.
What challenges do you think libraries will face in the coming years?
There has been some attention given lately to the stress and trauma front-facing library workers experience. I have stories, believe me. The level of bad behavior has increased in many libraries, and it will become more challenging and important for library directors and municipal leaders to address how that is handled in the future. There’s been some good work begun by the Urban Libraries Unite folks around this, including the development of a library worker support network.
What are your thoughts on libraries and emerging technology?
I think AI is the next big [tech] challenge for libraries. Staff should already be exploring what it is, how to use it, and the ethics involved. They should be thinking of ways to educate the public about how to spot AI-generated content online. Used responsibly, AI has tremendous advantages for libraries and for people in general. Used irresponsibly, it can be dangerous, but we are just at the beginning of the AI era. Who knows what will happen?
What publishing trends do you predict?
Will mainstream publishers finally come to their senses and start selling content to libraries at fair prices? Doubtful. But, will other publishing enterprises enter the field and become partners for libraries? I’d say yes on this one. TikTok is starting its own publishing company drawn from the superpopular “BookTok” community that will provide a publishing outlet for authors who likely won’t be picked up by the “Big 5.” That’s pretty exciting.
Any words of advice for the incoming MCLS director?
The library belongs to the community. Always keep that top of mind. So, get to know this community and do it broadly and with intention. Spend time in the community every week. Finally, when you’re managing employees, you have to remember that they are people first, with families and commitments. Treat people with respect and dignity and celebrate them every chance you get.
What do you look forward to doing in retirement?
Spending time at home on projects that have been pushed aside over the years. My husband doesn’t retire for another couple years, so I’ll be staying close to home. However, I don’t think I’m finished working. I just haven’t decided what the next chapter will be.
Follow Patty’s book reviews and more on her website: itsallaboutthebook.org
Need a good book? Check out Uttaro’s favorite reads of 2024
The Bright Sword, by Lev Grossman
The Fox Wife, by Yangsze Choo
The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore
Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts, by Crystal Wilkinson
Warm Hands of Ghosts, by Katherine Arden
The Witchsong, by Henry Neff
Patty Uttaro’s top five reasons to get a library card today
• All the cool stuff for no-to-low cost! “You can find most anything at your libraries: books, e-books, toys, games, sewing machines, fishing poles, ice cream makers, instapots, passes for state parks and other area attractions, computers, printers, fax machines, and programs and classes on a huge variety of topics.”
• Free access to information. “This is a basic building block of democracy. You’re supporting an institution that provides access to information for all people, no judgement.”
• Belonging to the “People’s University.” “Anyone can learn about anything that interests them.”
• Socialization. “Libraries are a great place to meet people of all ages.”
• Community. “A library card is a tangible investment in your community.”
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of (585).
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