1. Bruce Kasanoff Contributor
I cover ways to bring out the talent in other people.
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
LEADERSHIP 2/25/2015 @ 10:56AM 117 views
Remarkable Lessons In
Innovation From A
Public Library
There are two ways to run a public library in a small town: the traditional way, or the
Maxine Bleiweis way.
For the past 17 years, Maxine has been the director of The Westport Library in our
suburban town of 27,000 people. In her hands, the library hasn’t just been a place to
get books. It’s been a vibrant tool for bringing out the best in others.
The Library offers over 1,600 programs annually. To my eyes, Maxine has no
conception of the word “can’t.” Some think that public libraries can’t be noisy,
boisterous, provocative, outrageous or entertaining. They can’t buy – and program –
robots, or attract thousands of inventors, scientists and hobbyists for a single event.
As Maxine gets ready to hand over the reins of the library and start a new career as a
consultant, the accolades are pouring in.
Yesterday, The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced 30 finalists for
the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. 15 of the finalists are libraries,
and one of them is The Westport Library.
In June, Maxine will receive the Charlie Robinson Award from the Public Library
Association, which each year “honors a public library director who has been a risk
taker, innovator and change agent.”
I’m telling you this not just to make you feel envious of our library, or because I like to
brag about Maxine (okay, that last part is true).

2. The best talent is bringing out talent in other people, and Maxine embodies that
ability. As I’ve watched her over the years, I’ve noticed several traits that we would all
do well to emulate:
Boldness: If it will benefit the library, Maxine will ask anyone to do anything. She
enlists CTOs of Fortune 50 companies, top journalists, famous authors, and a huge
corps of enthusiastic volunteers. Just as importantly, she always has a bold idea and a
few “asks” ready; if she spots you in the library, the odds are 100 to 1 that she’ll tell you
about her latest projects and how you can help.
Warmth: The Westport Library is partially funded by the town, and also depends on
donations from its supporters. There’s never enough money, especially now that the
library is embarking on a capital campaign to reshape the building to be much more of
a gathering, social and performance space. Leaders in such an environment don’t get
to bark orders. Maxine leads with warmth, charm and enthusiasm. She understands
that her role is to be uplifting and aspirational.
Imagination: What if we turned the middle of the library into a Makerspace? Could
we teach kids to program computers by buying two Aldebaran robots for them to
program? Maxine discovered the answers to both these questions was “yes.”
The library’s annual fundraiser, BOOKED for the Evening, honors “an individual
whose work has nurtured a love of learning and enhanced our understanding of the
world.” In Maxine’s hands, the library has honored Nile Rodgers, Tom Brokaw, E.L.
Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris
Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Arthur Mitchell, Oscar Hijuelos, Adam Gopnik,
Barry Levinson, Patti Smith, and Jon Meacham.
Maxine taught an entire town not to be limited by outdated conceptions of what you or
your organization is supposed to be doing. She showed an entire generation that you
are limited only by your own imagination, creativity and willingness to to whatever it
takes to bring your dream to life.
Most importantly, she showed us what happens when people with diverse talents,
abilities and interests work together to uplift a community. The answer, of course, is
that magic happens.