Andrew Phillip Herron has a light side that can dispel an intense moment, put one at ease, and revert back to any serious situation any day may bring. Add to that his agile mind, Andrew is never boring. He has a keen perception and quick to "get it". Not having been in government before, he has learned much about politics and the JPL system in his 17 months as Executive Assistant to Director Gubbin. One of a kind and worth getting to know, that's Andrew.
Q: What positions have you held that prepared you to
be the Executive Assistant to Director Barbara Gubbin?
A: Prior to assisting Ms. Gubbin, I worked in New York City
as Executive Assistant to the General Secretary of the National Council of
Churches, as Assistant to the Government Relations Group at MetLife, and in
similar positions at JPMorgan Chase and Scholastic Publishing.
Q: Have you had a particular interest in another field that
contributes to your current position?
A: Yes. Avocationally, I worked for a long time as a
composer of musical theatre, finding to my surprise that all 24 productions of
my work occurred in cities other than New York. Since coming to JPL, I’ve
been amazed at how similar the administration of a library system is to the
administration of an arts center – with programs in progress, politics in play,
and a concert hall taboot.
Q: What would you encounter in a typical day as Executive
Assistant to the Director?
A: The first responsibility of the Executive Assistant to
Director Gubbin is to handle her calendar. However, that involves a lot
more than it sounds like: In a typical month, I’ll set up meetings
between Director Gubbin and trustees, senior staff, and city officials.
I’ll draft or procure agendas, materials, and minutes for those meetings.
I’ll also work with the Executive team, with CR&M, with the Conference
Center, and with Administrative Aide Sara Gunter to help ensure that these
events are smoothly executed.
Q: What has been the most rewarding and/or challenging
aspect of your position?
A: The most rewarding phenomenon in my time at JPL has been
the budding of new political support for the library. This came in the
wake of many meetings we set up for Director Gubbin and trustees to introduce
the library to the incoming mayoral administration and City Council.
CR&M provided excellent materials for those meetings, and now, months later,
Director Gubbin’s and our trustees’ advocacy has paid off. We now have
funds to restore 88 hours of weekly library service to the city, starting
November 14th.
Q: Is there something you would share with us that most do
not know?
A: Yes. Though I’m usually an affable stuffed-suit,
occasionally my whimsical side bursts forth like an out-of-control sock
puppet. If this ever happens while you’re looking, pay no
heed. It wasn’t my fault. I was just in the arts.
Christa Snow (left) and Catherine Currier of the Special
Collections Department staffed the table at ArtWalk, October 7, while Michael Sullivan reflected the Oktoberfest spirit. They answered questions about our collections and shared news of Main’s upcoming anniversary event, which will be November 7, 11 am - 3 pm. (Thanks to Kathleen Krizek, Librarian III, Special Collections for the blurb and pics.)
Betty Williams, Library Associate Sr. at NS, shares Brentwood’s Banned Book Week display.
Library Board Chair Erin Skinner sent this picture of Council Member at Large, Group 5, Sam Newby, pictured here with a letter of appreciation and cookies. They were presented September 30, 2015 for his support in
the FY2016 budget season. Chair Skinner said, "Assistants of all others on City Council have
received letters and cookies personally to give to their CM’s." 
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