The Tompkins County Public Library Board of Trustees has appointed Kat Savage to act as the Library’s Interim Director. The selection was finalized in Executive Session during a special meeting of the Board of Trustees at TCPL this week.

Savage will begin her role as Interim Library Director on Monday, October 13.

For the past two years, Savage has led the Youth Services Department at TCPL and has chaired the Summer Reading Committee, which has seen growth in participation across all age groups under her leadership. 2025’s Summer Reading program saw the highest participation since before the COVID-19 Pandemic, with more than 10,000 children, teens and adults taking part.

Prior to coming to TCPL in the summer of 2023, Savage spent eight years with Brooklyn Public Library. During her tenure there, Savage was the first branch manager at Adams Street Library, the first new BPL branch to open in more than 30 years. She also served as an assistant branch manager and a children’s librarian.

Savage also has nearly a decade of experience in New York’s arts scene and is an active member of the American Library Association, the Association for Library Service to Children, and is part of the New York Library Association’s Leadership and Management Section Board. She has a Master of Library and Information Science Degree from Pratt Institute in New York City.

“My focus will be on supporting the amazing staff and, in turn, their tireless work in supporting our community,” Savage said. “In addition, I look forward to working with Finger Lakes Library System to ensure we are continuing to support access to books and digital materials to all 33 member libraries.”

In keeping with Civil Service regulations, Savage will serve a maximum of three months in the role while the Library Director Search Committee conducts a thorough and professional search to bring the best candidates forward for consideration for the role of permanent Library Director.

The Board of Trustees offers its deep appreciation to Susan Currie for her leadership of the Library since her appointment as Interim Library Director in April. During her term, Currie oversaw the reopening of the Howard P. Harnett Circulation Desk, and the restoration of the volunteer program, now known as Program Partners. She was also a tireless advocate for the Library in the community, including advocating before the Tompkins County Legislature for funding to help grow the Library’s collection.

“The Board would like to express sincere gratitude to Susan Currie for her willingness to step in, address community concerns, and to restore valued service,” the Board of Trustees said in a statement.

This was Currie’s third time leading TCPL, which she calls her “dream job.” During her first tenor, from 2009 to 2017, she closed a $750,000 operating deficit and led successful campaigns for the establishment of the Makerspace, Digital Lab, Local History Room and the Teen Services area. She was named Finger Lakes Library Director of the Year in 2017. As Interim Library Director in 2021, she guided the restoration of hours and services that had been reduced during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Currie offered her thanks to library staff for its dedication to serving the community, and her gratitude to Savage for stepping forward.

“Kat has extensive professional experience, and has done an outstanding job as Youth Services Manager,” Currie said. “We are grateful for her taking on the many new responsibilities in serving as interim.”