WORCESTER—When Katelyn Duncan walks through the doors of the Worcester Public Library, she’s often one of the first people new arrivals to the city meet—not just as a librarian, but as a guide, a translator of systems, and, in many cases, a first point of stability.
Now, that work is earning national recognition.
Duncan, the new American librarian at Worcester Public Library, has been named a 2026 Library Journal “Mover and Shaker,” an annual honor recognizing 50 librarians across the country whose work is considered innovative and transformative. Her selection comes just one year after Executive Director Jason Homer received the same award in 2025 — a rare back-to-back recognition for the same library system.
“Being a Mover & Shaker is one of the biggest awards in librarianship — I joked with my parents that I’m ‘library famous’ now,” Duncan said. “In all seriousness, it’s a tremendous honor. I hope that reading about my work will encourage other librarians to continue thinking about immigrant inclusion and welcoming in their own communities. Many libraries start with English classes, which are a huge need, but we can do so much more.”
For Homer, the distinction signals something larger than individual recognition.
“The Library Journal chooses 50 librarians from across the country that they think are doing great work, and ideally, it’s supposed to be transformational work for the field,” Homer said. “So who is changing the field of libraries? So, I think probably the thing that’s really cool about it is, last year they dubbed me the signal of safety.”
For a mid-sized system like Worcester’s, the consecutive honors stand out. WPL is among the smallest libraries nationally to earn the distinction in back-to-back years, reflecting a broader shift in how public libraries are being used — and who they are serving.
A focus on access and belonging
Worcester Public Library operates in a city shaped by both need and diversity. Roughly 22% of residents were born outside the United States, and about one in five live below the poverty line.
Those realities have influenced the library’s direction in recent years.
Under Homer’s leadership, WPL has prioritized access and equity, including a $13 million renovation designed to make the space more welcoming. The library has also expanded partnerships to improve access to technology and digital services for residents without reliable internet or devices.
A systemwide listening tour led to the creation of a Community Resources Department, which in two years has connected more than 25,000 people—including immigrants, unhoused residents, individuals re-entering society, and English learners — to social workers, workshops and support programs.
Duncan’s role is central to that effort.
“Some of my favorite moments are simple ones: the joy on someone’s face when I can greet them in their language, or the excitement patrons of all ages feel walking into the children’s center,” she said. “But another amazing thing about my position has been watching the immigrants I work with learn and grow over time.”
Homer said her work has helped shape how libraries respond to shifting community needs.
“I’m really excited because Katelyn has really been changing how libraries are approaching serving immigrant communities, especially right now,” Homer said. “She has been kind of the leader in our state for addressing how do public libraries serve when we have Haitian migrants show up at our doorsteps, how do we serve Afghans in crisis?”
Redefining what a library does
Duncan’s position reflects a broader shift in public libraries, which increasingly function as community hubs offering more than books and research materials.
At WPL, that includes helping immigrants navigate housing resources, connect with language programs, access legal information, and find a sense of belonging.
“With Katelyn, we have so many stories about people where the first place they went and felt safe in the community was at the library,” Homer said. “We actually have a board member named David Dominguez of the library board, who says he learned English at the Worcester Public Library, and he applied because of how much Katelyn helped his life. Now he’s one of the board members.”
That kind of impact — personal, local, and replicable — is part of what the Library Journal award is designed to recognize.
A broader stage
Each year, the “Movers and Shakers” list highlights librarians across categories such as community builders, advocates, and innovators.
This year, Duncan is one of four librarians from Massachusetts to be recognized.
“When the magazine comes out, you’re a winner,” Homer said. “She already had to do a photo shoot. They sent her into Boston because there’s four Massachusetts librarians winning this year, which is super big. Last year I was the only Massachusetts librarian, so I’m excited to see her have three colleagues.”
Momentum for the future
While the awards bring national attention, library leaders say the recognition reflects work happening locally — often quietly.
For Worcester Public Library, the back-to-back honors point to growing momentum as the institution continues to evolve alongside the community it serves.
From expanding access to technology to supporting immigrants and underserved residents, the library’s role has broadened well beyond its traditional image — a shift that, increasingly, is being noticed beyond Worcester.
