Meaghan O'Connor

Meaghan oversees IREX's programs focused on increasing public access to information by strengthening public libraries systems, specifically the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded Global Libraries programs in Romania and Ukraine. 

Meaghan is a former public librarian specializing in children's services, and uses her technical expertise to provide strategic and managerial support for IREX's public library programs. In partnership with field staff and librarians in each country, Meaghan ensures that our efforts blend local and international library best practices to help librarians realize their vision for modern Ukrainian and Romanian libraries. Meaghan provides particular support for training and advocacy activities. 

Meaghan lived in Kragujevac, Serbia for a year and volunteered at public libraries and the local American Corner, leading cultural events and providing trainings on library services to children. She received her MLS from Simmons College in 2008; while at library school Meaghan served as the Dean's Fellow for International Initiatives, supporting a training program for Iraqi librarians and initiating a study abroad program for US students to study at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. Meaghan was selected as part of the 2008 American Library Association Emberging Leaders cohort and is a member of the Beta Phi Mu International Library Science Honor Society.