Meghan Kelly has been named director of the Franklin & Marshall College Library, following a year of service in the interim role and more than a decade of leadership within the library itself.

“Libraries sit at the intellectual heart of a college, and Meghan understands both their enduring mission and their evolving role,” said Provost and Dean of the Faculty Sunita Kramer ’92. “I have come to deeply appreciate her steady leadership. She brings a calm, thoughtful presence that people trust, along with a deep commitment to scholarship, access, and innovation. I am confident she will be an outstanding leader for our students, faculty, and our community.”

Since arriving at F&M, Kelly has served in multiple roles, including research and emerging technologies librarian and content services librarian. In her director role, she will oversee operations at the College Library’s two locations: Shadek-Fackenthal Library and Martin Library of the Sciences.

Meghan Kelly has been named director of the Franklin & Marshall College Library. She will oversee operations at the College Library’s two locations: Shadek-Fackenthal Library and Martin Library of the Sciences. (Photo by Deb Grove)

“In my time at F&M, I have seen the excellent work and dedication of my colleagues, and the impact we have on the student experience,” Kelly says. “This role allows me to uplift that work and provide opportunities for us to further connect with the larger F&M community.”

Kelly says the library’s recent strategic plan envisioned the library as “a nexus of intellectual activity on campus.” She will focus on strengthening partnerships across the College to ensure the library evolves to meet the needs of its community.

That evolution includes both new initiatives and a continued emphasis on building connections. This summer, the library will launch a circulating board game collection designed to bring students together in new ways. Kelly also hopes to expand internship opportunities, building on an existing program in partnership with the Phillips Museum that offers students hands-on experience in the field.

At the same time, the library is adapting to rapid changes in technology, including the rise of artificial intelligence. For Kelly, that work centers on information literacy — helping students think critically about the sources they use and the knowledge they create. A recently launched research guide on AI reflects that approach and will continue to evolve.

“We are here to support the whole campus and the whole student,” Kelly said. “I am excited to be both advocate and steward of the College Library, fostering an environment where our community can learn and grow.”

Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in history and English at Gettysburg College and a master’s degree in library and information science at Syracuse University. Her path to the profession began as an undergraduate student worker in the library’s media services department, followed by the Barbara Holley Internship at Musselman Library — an immersive experience that helped define her career direction.

One Library, Two Locations

The College Library is housed in two locations: the Shadek-Fackenthal Library and the Martin Library of the Sciences. We offer students, staff and faculty the scholarly resources needed for their work: 400k print books in two buildings, 900k+ ebooks, 95k+ streaming films, thousands of online journals, 250+ online databases and full text resources.

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