WORCESTER—Jason Homer, executive director of the Worcester Public Library, has been elected to the American Antiquarian Society (AAS), a 212-year-old national institution devoted to preserving and interpreting early American history.
With this appointment, Homer joins the ranks of some of the most accomplished figures in public life and academia—past and present—including Pulitzer Prize winners, U.S. presidents, and MacArthur fellows. Membership in the Society is by election only, awarded to individuals recognized for their contributions to scholarly and public engagement with the American past.
In a statement released by the American Antiquarian Society, Homer said, “I am deeply honored to be elected to the American Antiquarian Society, an institution that holds not only the stories of our nation’s past, but also the power to inspire future generations of scholars and community leaders.”
Homer, who has led Worcester’s seven-branch public library system since 2020, has guided the organization through significant change and expansion. Under his leadership, the library completed a $13.1 million renovation and launched a range of community-focused programs and outreach services designed to reflect the city’s growing diversity.
Originally from Brockton, Homer earned degrees from Stonehill College and Simmons University and is a graduate of the American Library Association’s Leadership Institute. His professional experience spans academic and public libraries across Massachusetts, including Wellesley, Marlborough, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
The American Antiquarian Society, headquartered on Salisbury Street in Worcester, is home to the world’s largest collection of materials printed in America before 1900. Its extensive holdings include over four million books, newspapers, broadsides, and visual items, many of which are accessible online.
Founded in 1812, the AAS has long served as a hub for historians, writers, artists, and the intellectually curious. The Society received the National Humanities Medal from President Obama in 2013 and continues to offer public programming and fellowships that support historical scholarship from around the globe.
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