Richard Ashby, Jr. likes the serenity of a small town library, so being the director of the Sharon Hill Public Library is his “dream job,” writes TaRhonda Thomas for 6abc.

But there’s a lot more going on than the appeal of a quaint library.

Ashby also thinks a library director should reflect the people in their community.

“I look for small libraries that are not thriving that are in Black communities,” said Ashby, who is Black, and who has led libraries in Yeadon, New York, and just outside of Pittsburgh.

It’s these places where he can make the most difference.

There aren’t many library directors that look like him. Of 800,000 librarians in America, 500 are Black men. About 30 to 40 are public library directors.

“Our children need somebody who looks like me…. that when they walk in, they feel accepted,” he said.

Sharon Hill Library has been closed for two years. Ashby’s mission has been to recharge the library.

So now there’s a goal to create a more diverse book collection and to hold more community events for children.

“These books are windows and mirrors,” he said.

Read more at 6abc.com about Richard Ashby and his work as Sharon Hill’s library director.

The Sharon Hill Library offers a TikTokslide show for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Jan. 15, 2022.