Rutgers alumna Melody Scagnelli-Townley MLIS ’13 has always understood the power of connection—whether linking young readers to the right book, communities to vital library services, or students to inspiring mentors.

From earning a 4.0 GPA and dual specializations to leading a public library through a transformational phase, Melody exemplifies the power of passion, preparation, and community connection. And through it all, her Rutgers roots remain strong.

Now Director of the Free Public Library and Cultural Center of Bayonne, she shares her journey from South Jersey student to North Jersey library leader—and how her experience at SC&I helped shape her path.

SC&I: What first drew you to Rutgers and the field of Library and Information Science?
MS-T: I grew up in South Jersey and went to Rutgers–New Brunswick for my undergraduate degree, majoring in Information Technology and Informatics with a minor in Comparative Literature. I graduated in 2011 and went straight into the Master of Library and Information Science program. I had such a great experience as an undergrad that it felt like a natural choice to stay. I loved the in-person community within SC&I. All the professors were knowledgeable and helpful. I'm still friends with many of them today!

SC&I: What stands out from your time in the master’s program?
MS-T: My mentor while in school was Claire McInerney. We spent an incredible amount of time working together on my undergraduate thesis about online information-seeking behaviors. I also greatly enjoyed my time with Lilia Pavlovsky and Marie Radford—who I still see regularly at conferences! And I still think about and recommend things I learned in Marc Aronson’s collection development class.

SC&I: You’ve had such a rich and varied career. Can you walk us through your professional path since graduating?
MS-T: I started out as a School Library Media Specialist and spent five years working in North Jersey schools. In 2016, I was honored with the William A. Petersen Award for developing an outstanding school library media program. A year later, I was named an ALA Emerging Leader. I also earned a graduate certificate in “Teaching the Holocaust and Prejudice Reduction” from Kean University.

Eventually, I transitioned to public libraries. I had a brief but meaningful stint at the Bergen County Cooperative Library System Consortium main office as their training and digital initiatives librarian. But I missed direct public service, so I joined the Bayonne Public Library in 2019 as outreach librarian, and in February 2023, I became the director. I stepped into the role just as we began nearly $3 million in renovations to major areas of the library’s interior.

SC&I: That’s a big leadership role, especially during a major renovation. What else has kept you professionally engaged?
MS-T: I’ve served on several book selection committees, including two terms with the American Library Association’s Over the Rainbow and one term on Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. I'm currently a Member-at-Large for the NJLA Executive Board and soon-to-be ALA Liaison. I also serve as President of the Urban Libraries section of NJLA and participate on the NJLA Conference Committee and LibraryLinkNJ’s EDI subcommittee, where we're developing resources for supervisors.

SC&I: What advice would you give to students thinking about or currently enrolled in SC&I’s MI program?
MS-T: Get involved with local or state-level organizations like the New Jersey Library Association or LibraryLinkNJ. It’s a great way to meet interesting people and gain new skills!

Learn more about the Master of Information at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website. 

Photo Credit: Melody Scagnelli-Townley MLIS ’13