The Free Library of Philadelphia has recently welcomed new staff to lead its Author Events program, filling the roles left vacant by the previous team that abruptly departed a few months ago.
Jenny Bogoni has been appointed to oversee the newly established Department of Community Engagement and Public Programming, which encompasses the library’s Author Events, Read by 4th, and One Book One Philadelphia initiatives. Bogoni, who previously served as the executive director of Read by 4th, is determined to enhance the reading levels of Philadelphia children by fourth grade.
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Bogoni’s promotion, along with four other hires, was announced in an email from Free Library Director Monique Moore Pryor. Pryor emphasized the importance of having the right individuals involved for the success and growth of the department. “I am pleased to announce several exciting updates to our team and leadership structure that demonstrate our commitment to improving our community and public programming,” Pryor wrote.
Daniel Blank, a former Shakespeare scholar and professor at Durham University in England, will spearhead the Author Events program as the managing director of public programs. Amir Richardson, previously a liaison for civic conversations at WHYY, will take on the role of director of event production. Oscar Almonte-Espinal, who has experience as an assistant bookseller at Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books, will serve as the manager of public events. Rayna Guy, a former racial literacy trainer, is set to lead the One Book One Philadelphia program as the director of community programs.
In June, the previous team of staffers handling Author Events resigned simultaneously, causing uncertainty about the program’s future. Despite their resignation email stating that the program was canceled, the library clarified that scheduled events would proceed as planned.
Days later, the resigned staffers revealed their intention to resign with a month’s notice but alleged that the Free Library Foundation terminated them instead. In response, Jeffry Benoliel, the foundation’s board chairman, clarified that the staffers had indeed resigned, and the email about canceled events was unauthorized.
The Author Events program has a total of 29 events scheduled until the end of the year.