Frank Stephens Jr.: Beloved Mt. Airy artist and Free Library 'pioneer'; Chestnut Hill Local, April 8, 2021

 Len Lear, Chestnut Hill Local; Frank Stephens Jr.: Beloved Mt. Airy artist and Free Library 'pioneer'

"[Frank Stephens Jr.] then began his career at the Free Library of Philadelphia as an illustrator and in 1965 was promoted to Exhibits Manager. He ascended through the ranks and was appointed Library Arts and Graphic Administrator in 1990. He became the first African American male ever to serve on the Free Library’s Management Team. He was the principal creator of over 300 major exhibitions and used his talents in particular to highlight Black artists, visionaries and African American history.

Over his career, Stephens was awarded over 35 graphic, community and civil awards including two gold medals for graphic design, one gold model for art direction from the Graphic Arts Association of Delaware Valley and the “Best of the Best” award presented by the Philadelphia African American Museum. His work has been cited by countless artists, educational and cultural institutions, civic and community organizations."

Siobhan A. Reardon: LJ’s 2015 Librarian of the Year; Library Journal, 1/6/15

John N. Berry III, Library Journal; Siobhan A. Reardon: LJ’s 2015 Librarian of the Year:

"President and Director, Free Library of Philadelphia

She engineered the creation of an ambitious, five-year strategic plan, underpinned by a powerful mission to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity through the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP). Siobhan A. Reardon had been in the director’s chair for less than a month when FLP was handed a 20 percent cut and branch hours were drastically reduced. Library state funding was slashed by 34 percent. In 2010, with funding trickling back into the budget, FLP launched a two-year process to formalize a new strategic plan. “We agreed that we had to stop trying to be all things to all people; we just didn’t have the money,” Reardon says.

Instead, her plan refocused the role of the library, identifying five target populations (job seekers, ­entrepreneurs, new Americans, children under five, and people with disabilities). The plan outlines a cluster model to streamline and enhance neighborhood library services, share resources and staff among neighborhood libraries, and collaborate with community leaders to develop programs and services most needed by residents."