Richard E. Ashby Jr.

Raised in Queens, New York, Ashby pursued his education with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the New York Institute of Technology and a Master's in Library Information Science from New York University. His professional journey began at the Wyandanch Public Library in 1989, where he advanced from a security guard to interim director, implementing programs that revitalized the library and the community.

In 2007, Ashby moved to Philadelphia, where he founded Literacy Nation Inc. and became the director of the 34th & Mount Vernon Community Library. He developed a range of services, including after-school programs and ESL and GED classes, to meet the community's diverse needs. His efforts extended to relocating the library for greater visibility and safety, demonstrating his commitment to accessibility.

Ashby has since revitalized libraries in Yeadon, Mckees Rocks, and Sharon Hill, where he currently serves as the director of the Sharon Hill Public Library. He also contributes to broader initiatives as the Vice President and President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA). Additionally, he is a founding member and Chairman of the Delaware County Library Association's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Acceptance Committee and is active in several statewide and national library organizations.

Recognized with numerous awards, including Librarian of the Year by the Black Librarians Caucus and the Library Journal Mover and Shaker Award, Richard E. Ashby, Jr. continues to make significant contributions to the field of librarianship, focusing on community empowerment and transformation through libraries.