Simmons College

Research Interests:

Renée Di Pilato is Branch Manager of the James M. Duncan Library, part of the Alexandria Library system in Northern Virginia. She initiated the City of Alexandria's first "All Alexandria Reads" program, a one book one city initiative, now in its second year. An ardent advocate of community support for the library, she coordinates an active volunteer program and works closely with a Friends organization to promote a wide variety of programs. In addition to advocacy issues, collection development, fundraising and strategic planning, Renée is particularly interested in organizational development in public libraries.

In addition to a B.A. in History from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, she earned an M.S.L.S. from Catholic University followed by an M.P.A. at George Mason University. She is a member of several academic organizations, including Pi Alpha Alpha the honor society for Public Affairs and Administration, and is taking courses to become a Certified Public Library Administrator.

In 2008 she was selected for the American Library Association's Emerging Leaders program. She serves on ALA's National Library Week Committee and is chairperson of LLAMA's Swap and Shop Best of Show program, a competition that awards excellence in library public relations and marketing efforts. She is also an active member of PLA.

Renée lives in Alexandria with her husband Andrew and their two Japanese Chin dogs Mikimoto and Picco.