Library Director Matt Clark Moves on to Pursue Other Opportunities

Provincetown Public Library Director Matt Clark is known for creating innovative programming, his inclusiveness of the community and strong management skills. In his three years as library director, he revived the Provincetown Public Library into a thriving community center, led the Nauset Regional High School Track program to four consecutive National Championship appearances, and has seen exponential growth of Narrow Land, his web design and creative services business – all at the same time. His decision to leave the Library was a difficult one. “It has truly been an honor to have the opportunity to serve as Director of the Provincetown Public Library.  I depart with great memories and look forward to focusing on other opportunities that will continue to enrich the Provincetown community.”

During his tenure, Clark increased programming by 1400% in near six-year span. This led to a #1 U.S. Ranking by Library Journal for two consecutive years and #2 in the U.S. within its expenditure category in 2016. Clark also worked with the Board of Library Trustees to create four annual events, the next being the Rose Dorothea Award for Literary Excellence, this year given to Sebastian Junger, during the 2017 Provincetown Book Festival in September.

As director, Matt also created and implemented a retail and event based fundraising model that retires the $314,000 remaining for the Provincetown Public Library’s Renovation Bond Note.

Brittany Taylor, Simmons College Master of Library Science Candidate (12/17) and current Tech and Member Services Coordinator will become the Acting Library Director. She says, “I feel confident that with our competent staff, encouraging Board of Library Trustees, support of the Town, and the strong foundation left behind by Matt, that our Library will continue to operate at the highest level and remain a vital community anchor as we move into this next stage.”

Chairwoman Laura Shabott says, “While I am saddened by Matt Clark’s departure, I looked forward to working with Brittany Taylor as Acting Library Director and Nan Cinnater as Lead Librarian as well as our wonderful circulation staff, trustees and volunteers. Matt has left the Library in great shape and I thank him for all that he has done as our Director.”

A search for the next library director will start with an open nationwide search. Applications will be screened by a committee chaired by Town Manager David Panagore.

Fantasia Fair Donations to Support Provincetown History

Continuing their tradition of giving back to their home away from home, the organizers of the Fantasia Fair conference have selected the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum (the PMPM) as the benefactor of their annual fund-raising efforts.

Dallas Denny, Chair of the Board of Directors of Real Life Experience, Inc., the organization that puts on the conference, was delighted to make this announcement. “The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum does a lot to help people understand significant events in American history. Being the first transgender conference in the world, Fantasia Fair is part of that history, so it was important for us to help them with their continuing mission.”

Ms. Denny continues, “We really appreciate how the town welcomes us each year so we try to say thank you whenever we can. One way we show our appreciation is by helping various Provincetown charity and civic organizations. Over the years, we have raised over $60,000 for organizations that serve the people of Provincetown and Cape Cod. We have made contributions to the town library, the local police department, an AIDS support group, a woman’s shelter, the local soup kitchen, a senior services group, a summer camp for LGBT youth, and we helped buy the fire department a life-saving defibrillator. The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum is a natural fit for our efforts.”

K. David Weidner, Ph.D., Executive Director of The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, was thrilled with the announcement. “This is really exciting news,” Dr. Weidner commented. “This donation will help us carry out our mission of commemorating the history of the Mayflower Pilgrims, collecting and preserving historical materials, and maintaining the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. The donation will also continue to allow us to open our doors by providing educational programming and social events to bring the community together.”

The cornerstone of Fair’s fund-raising efforts is an annual cabaret & talent show, which will next take place on Friday, October 20th at the Crown & Anchor. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. In addition, all the performers that night will donate all tips to our fundraising efforts.

Fantasia Fair is a week-long transgender event that attracts people from the entire range of the LGBTI community. Started in 1975, “Fan Fair” is the longest-running annual gathering of transgender persons for mutual education, support, collaboration and socializing. This year, Fantasia Fair’s 43rd year in Provincetown, attendees came from all over the United States as well as from Canada, England, Norway, and Australia. Speakers at this year’s conference included well known celebrities in the transgender world, including: Mara Keisling, founder and Executive Director of NCTE, the National Center for Transgender Equality; Lana Moore, Vice Chair for GLAAD; Dr. Elena Long, an Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of New Hampshire; and Gwen Smith, founder of the Remembering Our Dead project and the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The 2017 Fantasia Fair will take place again in Provincetown from October 15 – 22. For more information about the Fantasia Fair conference, please visit fantasiafair.org. For additional information on The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, you can reach them at 508.487.1310 or on the Internet at pilgrim-monument.org.