Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Public Library (BPL) President David Leonard today announced the appointment of Ben Hires as Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Boston Public Library. In this new role, Hires will be responsible for maintaining and building strong, diversified relationships to advance the Library's mission by ensuring the success of its philanthropic efforts and major organizational partnerships from sectors across the community.
The Library relies on successful strategic partnerships to achieve its educational and cultural mission, and for critical financial support. The position will also play a key role in identifying and responding to grant opportunities.
"I welcome Ben to this new role, and look forward to the impact his work will have in expanding the partnerships and increasing the opportunities for the Boston Public Library and its users," said Mayor Walsh. "Ben brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role, and has the vision we need to achieve our ambitious goals."
In this new city-funded position, Hires will work to advance the library's strategic goals by developing and implementing policies and procedures for the effective selection of funding opportunities, building and management of relationships with external funders, peer community and governmental organizations.
"The library needs strong partnerships and strong support to truly achieve its mission," said BPL President David Leonard. "Having a dedicated leadership position and someone with Ben's experience, most recently at the Boston Children's Chorus, in this role, will better position us to serve all of our residents, visitors and users, for today and into the future."
The Director of Strategic Partnerships plays a key role in the development and execution of the Library's philanthropic strategy and community building efforts, locally, statewide and nationally. In this role, Hires will provide oversight, guidance and support to key library fundraising affiliates, partners-in-residence, cultural and programming partners in conjunction with the designated key liaisons for each relationship.
Hires previously served as the Executive Producer and Chief Strategy Officer for the Boston Children's Chorus, where he worked in several capacities over the course of nearly 10 years. Prior to the Chorus, he was Executive Director of the New England String Ensemble and Director of Operations at the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. In these roles, he provided leadership in the areas of programs, external and corporate relations, planning and strategy, individual fundraising, and was responsible for overseeing the budget. During his tenure at the Boston Children's Chorus, Hires helped secure new funders, partners and helped the organization meet and exceed its revenue goals.
"I am very excited to join David and his wonderful team, and work with the Library's Trustees to increase the Library's visibility and impact," said Ben Hires. "It is an exciting time for the Library as it seeks to meet the changing and diverse needs of the Boston community."
Hires earned a Master of Science in Arts Administration, a Master in Theological Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science all from Boston University. Hires serves on the Board of Urbanity Dance, the Board of the Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation, and the Advisory Board of the Pao Arts Center. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Harvard Allston Public Realm Flexible Fund, president of the BU Arts Administration Alumni Association, community chair for the Boston Creates Arts and Culture planning process, a "Big" for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of Massachusetts Bay and College Access Mentor program for the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center. He currently lives in Roslindale with his wife and son. Hires will begin in this new role on May 21.
About Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library provides educational, cultural and civic enrichment, free to all, for the residents of Boston, Massachusetts and beyond, through its collections, services, programs, and spaces. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children's room. As a City of Boston historic cultural institution, Boston Public Library today features a Central Library, twenty-five branches, a map center, business library, archival center; extensive special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints; and rich digital content and online services. The award-winning renovation of the Central Library in Copley Square, completed in 2016, together with new, renovated and historic branches, provide a transformed library system for the next generation of users. Boston Public Library enriches lives, hosting thousands of free educational programs and exhibitions, and providing free library services online and in-person to millions of people each year. To learn more, visit bpl.org.
