Jayanti Addleman
Director of Library Services
Hayward Public Library
Hayward, California
“Ms. Addleman brought confidence and an infectious enthusiasm for serving the public that was immediately felt by all.”
Jayanti Addleman’s inspiring leadership has helped countless Hayward residents access the information and resources they need, even during an unprecedented pandemic.
Jayanti has made a powerful impact since joining Hayward Public Library (HPL) in 2019. In her eventful two-year tenure, she oversaw a major move to a new branch, adapted library services to an unprecedented public health crisis, and led efforts to abolish overdue fines for patrons. Nominators say she’s navigated these changes with exceptional expertise and enthusiasm.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jayanti took swift action to ensure HPL could continue serving community members in need. She worked with staff to streamline the process for registering for a library card online, taking care to eliminate barriers for undocumented individuals; she also oversaw efforts to distribute hundreds of tablets, hotspots, and other devices to help bridge the digital divide. Beyond that, Jayanti also secured funding for a new bookmobile to deliver resources to residents whose transportation challenges prevent them from participating in curbside pick-up at the library.
“Ms. Addleman is HPL’s biggest cheerleader and is always there to help in any way that she can,” her nominators wrote. “She tirelessly reminds the community of the services the library has to offer, keeping services relevant and impactful.”