Dionne Mack

Dionne Mack (born 1973),[1] briefly known as Dionne Mack-Harvin, is an American librarian. She was the executive director of the Brooklyn Public Library from 2007-2011 and the first African-American woman to head a major library system in the state of the New York.[1] She has been the deputy city manager of El Paso, Texas since July 2017.[2][3]

Dionne Mack
Born1973 (age 47–48)
South Carolina
NationalityAmerican
Other namesDionne Mack-Harvin
OccupationLibrarian
Known forfirst African American woman to head a major library system in New York

Early life and education

Mack was born and spent the early part of her childhood in South Carolina. At age 11, her parents separated and she moved to Harlem, New York with her mother and siblings. Her father was a truck driver and her mother was a licensed practical nurse. She was the first person in her family to attend college and received her bachelor's degree from SUNY College at Brockport. She received her master of library science degree from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.[1]

Career

She began work as an entry-level librarian at the Crown Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library in 1996. She stayed in the system for several years and took multiple promotions.[1] She was the executive director of the library system for three years after a one-year interim contract in the position. She oversaw 60 branches, 1,700 employees, and a $103 million budget.[4]

Mack hired a downsizing firm to help lay off 13 staffers due to a budget shortfall.[5] A Washington Post article detailed the firings and used language that made those fired identifiable.[6] After the article's publication, Mack stated that she had never given the journalist access for the story, which the reporter and library communications manager refuted.[7] This was considered an "embarrassment" to the library system, and according to the New York Daily News, may be why Mack chose to abruptly resign right as her contract came up for renewal.[7]

Mack took the position of Public Library Director of El Paso Public Library in January 2011.[8][9] She became the deputy city manager of public safety and support services of El Paso on July 17, 2017.[10]

She was named to the Crain's New York 40 under 40 business leader list in 2008.[4]

Personal life

Mack was married to Ray Harvin. They have one son, Naeem.[1]

References
  1. Finn, Robin (2007-05-11). "A Cheerleader for Brooklyn’s Treasury of Books". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  2. "Dionne Mack, deputy city manager". El Paso Inc. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  3. Jr., Dailey, Maceo Crenshaw (2014-09-29). African Americans in El Paso. Smith-McGlynn, Kathryn,, Gutierrez Venable, Cecilia. Charleston, South Carolina. ISBN 9781439647448. OCLC 905238686.
  4. "40 Under 40 - Dionne Mack-Harvin". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  5. Saslow, Eli. "Downsizing Firm Specializes in the Art of Letting Employees Go". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  6. Saxena, Jaya. "Brooklyn Public Library Head Resigns Following Downsizing Scandal". Gothamist. Archived from the original on 2018-03-07. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  7. HAYS, JAKE PEARSON, ELIZABETH. "Fired library staff 'vindicated' by Brooklyn Public Library Chief Dionne Mack-Harvin's downfall - NY Daily News". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  8. "Deputy City Manager Public Safety & Support Services". www.elpasotexas.gov. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  9. "Libraries undergo renovations with bond funds". El Paso Times. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  10. Report, Staff (2017-07-14). "City Manager Appoints Deputy City Manager". El Paso Herald-Post. Retrieved 2019-01-29.


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