The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Board of Trustees has voted and named Gordon E. Krabbe, Pratt Library’s Director of Administrative Services, as Acting Chief Executive Officer. He is replacing Dr. Carla D. Hayden who leaves the Pratt after 23 years to serve as the 14th Librarian of Congress.

“It is an honor to be selected by the library’s Trustees to serve the Pratt library in this role,” said Krabbe. “My number one focus is to continue the Pratt’s mission of lifelong learning and equal access to all patrons across the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland. The library system is currently in a very stable and strong position with the renovation of the Central Library, upcoming branch renovations, the creation of a mobile job unit, and additional library hours from a legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly. This is a historic time at the Pratt and I am grateful to the board for their confidence and support.”

Since 1989, Gordon Krabbe has served as the Pratt Library’s Chief Operating Officer with oversight of Financial, Human Resource, Facility, and Information System Divisions. He also serves as the Library’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. Prior to joining the Library, Mr. Krabbe served as Assistant Director of the Maryland State Mental Hygiene Administration. Mr. Krabbe has a Masters in Business Administration and attended the Harvard University-JFK Senior Executives 2002 Summer Program. He was born and raised in Baltimore and a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He is married with two sons and two grandchildren.

The Pratt Library’s Board of Trustees and Directors have established a committee to conduct the nationwide search for a permanent library CEO.

“Pratt traditions continue – and Pratt’s future is exciting. Our Board has the honor and responsibility to see that Enoch Pratt’s mandate continues – a library that is ‘free for all, rich and poor without distinction of race or color,’” said Patricia J. Lasher, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Directors. “From its first director to Dr. Hayden, Pratt’s leaders and talented staff have built a powerful and nationally regarded library. We are very excited for the future and grateful to all Pratt partners, supporters and patrons.”

The Enoch Pratt Free Library, the nation’s first free library system, opened its doors in 1886, the result of the generosity and imagination of businessman and philanthropist Enoch Pratt. Mr. Pratt envisioned a public library where “races, ages, and socio-economic classes mingled and people could educate themselves – without cost,” and his passionate belief continues to guide the organization. Today’s Pratt Library – Baltimore’s public library and the Maryland State Library Resource Center – consists of the Central Library, an anchor library, 22 branches, two bookmobiles, Pratt Centers for Technology Training, and the Regional Information Center. The Library’s mission is to provide equal access to information and services that support, empower, and enrich all who pursue knowledge, education, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning.

For more information about the Enoch Pratt Free Library, visit our website at www.prattlibrary.org. Also look for the Pratt on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Instagram and YouTube.

Remember at the Enoch Pratt Free Library: “Your journey starts here.”