The Enoch Pratt Free Library—a hub for family programming for city residents and visitors alike—is under new leadership. After searching the nation for a new president and chief executive officer, the organization recently announced Chad Helton, the former director of Hennepin County Library in Minnesota, had been chosen for the role.
One of the oldest free library systems in the U.S., the Enoch Pratt Free Library system has been operating since 1882, when its namesake gifted the Baltimore mayor and city council over $1 million to found an integrated library system that was not restricted to people of different races and economic statuses.
It’s a story that resonates with Helton, who was once homeless but has worked his way up through the field of library sciences over the years. He’s worked at libraries in Los Angeles, Palo Alto and in university libraries at Stanford University and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
It was this background that made him an attractive pick for the Pratt Library’s Board of Directors when they were searching for someone to fill the leadership role.
“His deep industry experience and creative approach to addressing infrastructure needs will be invaluable as we work toward a bold future for the Pratt Library. We are confident that his leadership, coupled with a commitment to community, will ensure that the Pratt Library continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Baltimore,” says Christine Espenshade, chair of the board of directors, in a news release. “Chad’s expertise will help us build on the momentum we’ve already gained, including record-high library cardholders and circulation, as well as securing funding for ongoing infrastructure improvements.”
And Helton has experience in more than just library science—he’s earned degrees in public administration and African-American studies and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University.
“I do not take this responsibility lightly,” Helton states in the news release. “I understand the significance of leading one of the nation’s first free public library systems, and I am deeply honored to take on this role. Libraries are not just places for books—they are vital community resources that promote the greater good.”
Helton’s plans for the library’s future include creating more partnerships with local organizations so that more people are aware of the library’s offerings and take advantage of its many services. For him, the library is not just a place to check out books, but a hub of education, community resources and social opportunities.
He also expressed an interest in expanding Enoch Pratt Free Library’s digital literacy programs in order to ensure that people from all backgrounds can have a place where they can access technology and can learn how to navigate the digital space.
Additionally, Espenshade thanked Darcell Graham, who served as the library’s interim CEO during the search for a new permanent one.
“I look forward to expanding the Pratt Library’s services, modernizing our infrastructure and ensuring that everyone in Baltimore has access to the information and opportunities they need to succeed,” Helton says.
