The Board of Directors of Massachusetts Center for the Book is pleased to announce the appointment of Courtney Andree as our new Executive Director, bringing professional experience in publishing, college teaching, libraries and bookstores to her new role.
Before joining MCB on May 15th, Courtney was the marketing and sales director at the University of Massachusetts Press, where she served as organizer and editor of the Juniper Literary Prizes in Poetry, Fiction and Creative Nonfiction. Prior to that, she held positions at Yale University Press and Countryman Press (W.W. Norton).
A scholar of literature, disability history, and sexuality studies, she earned a PhD in English and American Literature from Washington University and a B.A. in Film & Media Studies and English from Dartmouth College.
"In Massachusetts, we're fortunate to have a thriving books community, with so many talented writers and world-class libraries and cultural institutions," observed Andree. "I'm looking forward to leading the Center in its next phase, building on its strong foundation supporting the cause of books, fostering lifelong literacy, and bringing the Commonwealth together in celebration of our uniquely rich literary landscape and heritage."
Sharon Shaloo, the Center's Founding Executive Director, retires effective July 31st, concluding a long and fruitful 24-year tenure at the Center.
In a joint release, the Members of the Board stated: "We look forward to working with Courtney to further expand the successful work of the Center, and to continue to unite the 'communities of the book' -- authors, publishers, librarians, booksellers, artists and illustrators, historians, and most of all, readers -- throughout the Commonwealth. The Board is deeply grateful to Sharon for her leadership, dedication, and influence in Massachusetts and with the Library of Congress affiliate network."
