Mary Jane Tacchi, Coordinator of Young Adult Services at The New York Public Library, Dies

Photo: Michael DeVito
New York, NY, September 4, 2003 -- Mary Jane Tacchi, 61, Coordinator of Young Adult Services at The New York Public Library since 1998, died on Monday, September 1, 2003. Ms. Tacchi was a strong proponent of programs that exhibited the special talents of teens such as Young Playwrights, Poetry in The Branches, and the Web site “WordSmiths” that showcases teen writing. She upheld long traditions of The New York Public Library, which include the annual publication of Books for the Teen Age, and its cover design competition.

Ms. Tacchi began her career within The Branch Libraries of The New York Public Library in 1966, after receiving her Masters in Library Science from the University of California at Berkeley. She first worked as a reference librarian at the Wakefield Branch in the northern Bronx. The combination of her undergraduate degree in Education and her rapport with teenagers led her to change her specialty to work with teens.

After serving in several Young Adult positions in a variety of Bronx Branches, Ms. Tacchi became the Supervising Borough Specialist responsible for oversight of Young Adult work in all Bronx Branches. Using that broad experience she went on to become Assistant Coordinator of Young Adult Services for The Branch Libraries and, subsequently, Young Adult Coordinator.

New York City also provided Ms. Tacchi with opportunity to explore her interests. She studied and became proficient in calligraphy. She regularly attended ballet class and could explain the fine points of a dancer’s performance to friends who attended ballet performances with her. Within walking distance of her apartment, the Metropolitan Museum and Central Park provided endless points of exploration. And she read. As authors and publishers of young adult books could attest, her conversations about young adult books were always thoughtful and filled with insight. An author knew that his or her book had been given Ms. Tacchi’s full and valued attention.

As a longtime member of the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), she served on numerous committees including, most recently, the Professional Development Planning Task Force and the YALSA Research Committee. She chaired the YALSA Selected Film and Videos for Young Adults.


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Contact: Jennifer Bertrand, 212-221-7676

 

 

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