Executive Director, J. Lewis Crozer Library – Chester, PA
Lauren E. Sands is the Executive Director of the J. Lewis Crozer Library, the only public library serving the great city of Chester, Pennsylvania. Her work is grounded in the belief that public libraries thrive when they are responsive and grow alongside their communities. A dynamic library leader with a passion for public service and collective impact, she and her team have built an extensive network of collaborators across the county and state to co-create programs, expand access, and open new opportunities. Her work centers on developing initiatives that reflect shared values and community priorities, grounded in trust, asset-based community development, and a deep commitment to equity and empowerment.
In the summer of 2024, the library partnered with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. to create meaningful summer employment opportunities for local high school students with disabilities and other employment barriers. Supported by dedicated specialists and instructors Cheri Cornell and Khasir Carter-Doward, and rooted in the understanding that every individual possesses unique strengths and talents, the program went beyond providing valuable work experience by giving youth a seat at the table to co-create and implement library programs. By listening to and elevating young voices, the initiative infused new energy into the library’s mission and strengthened both the community and the library’s role within it.
The partnership has since expanded into a second youth employment cohort in the summer of 2025 and the launch of Library After Hours: Neurodivergent Youth & Family Night, a monthly sensory-friendly evening during which the library reopens to provide a welcoming space for youth and families to feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Thanks to partners such as Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., these successes reflect Lauren’s belief in the power of shared resources, aligned goals, and valuing diverse contributions to create lasting, positive change. Together, we thrive.
Lauren serves as Chair of the Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) Membership Committee for the American Library Association, Co-Chair of the Delaware County Libraries Access and Engagement Task Force, and holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from Drexel University’s College of Computing and Informatics.
Note: Headshot was taken at a local author event with Donye’ Price, Chester’s first female African American firefighter and author of the children’s book Girls Can Be Firefighters Too!, where Donye’ let her try on her firefighter gear (it is heavy!). Immense respect to all first responders.
