DEREK LLOYD
Director
midirector@delcolibraries.org
When it came time for the Middletown Free Library board to hire a new library director, they didn’t have to look far. Derek Lloyd, who assumed the role in May 2022, is what you might call “home grown talent.” Originally from Glenolden, Derek has lived in Delaware County his entire life. He’s a graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School and Villanova University, and received his Master of Library and Information Science degree from Clarion University. For the past eight years, Derek has worked at MFL, first as the assistant children’s librarian and more recently as the technical services librarian. The regular board game meetups he runs at the library are the stuff of (sometimes literally) legend. A card-carrying library member since the age of 5, Derek sat down with us to discuss books, new buildings — and yes, board games.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST LIBRARY MEMORY?
Taking forever to decide which book I wanted to borrow from the Glenolden Library.
Taking forever to decide which book I wanted to borrow from the Glenolden Library.
AND WHAT DID YOU END UP CHOOSING?
A book about cats. I don’t remember the name, but I remember regretting my choice.
A book about cats. I don’t remember the name, but I remember regretting my choice.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ROLE OF A COMMUNITY LIBRARY IS THESE DAYS?
There are fewer places in society where people can go to meet up in a group for free. When I was younger, we could go walk the mall or sit in a bookstore. Many of those are gone, along with other places that served the same purpose. The library can fill that void. Additionally, the information explosion that has happened has changed what the library offers. People are more in need of a library of things than previously. What can now be read or listened to online used to be solely the realm of the hardcopy book. Where the library offered almost entirely books in the past, it will now offer a variety of things for the public to check out, such as board games, tools, and wireless devices.
There are fewer places in society where people can go to meet up in a group for free. When I was younger, we could go walk the mall or sit in a bookstore. Many of those are gone, along with other places that served the same purpose. The library can fill that void. Additionally, the information explosion that has happened has changed what the library offers. People are more in need of a library of things than previously. What can now be read or listened to online used to be solely the realm of the hardcopy book. Where the library offered almost entirely books in the past, it will now offer a variety of things for the public to check out, such as board games, tools, and wireless devices.
SPEAKING OF BOARD GAMES, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES?
According to my spreadsheet — yes, I have one — there are five depending on who and how much time I have. If I have to pick one, Dungeon Fighter is it. A cooperative game that can be played by almost any age, up to six players, with strategy, comedy, and a physical dexterity component. It’s the only game I recall playing at the library where everyone was having so much fun I had to quiet us down.
According to my spreadsheet — yes, I have one — there are five depending on who and how much time I have. If I have to pick one, Dungeon Fighter is it. A cooperative game that can be played by almost any age, up to six players, with strategy, comedy, and a physical dexterity component. It’s the only game I recall playing at the library where everyone was having so much fun I had to quiet us down.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK GENRE?
Currently, young adult or adult graphic novels (the Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling is the best one I’ve read recently) and adult non-fiction (the Rational Bible series is what I am currently reading). While I was a stay at home parent, my ability to read long form books was limited. I found that graphic novels allowed me to read books in the 10 or 15 minute windows I had while taking care of young children. That has stuck with me. As my kids grew up, I found myself continuing to read graphic novels. My interest in the adult non-fiction genre stems from listening to podcasts. When I hear one that I find interesting, I investigate the book for more in-depth knowledge. I should note that this is more recent, since up until my youngest child was 8 years old, I wouldn’t have had time for those books.
Currently, young adult or adult graphic novels (the Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling is the best one I’ve read recently) and adult non-fiction (the Rational Bible series is what I am currently reading). While I was a stay at home parent, my ability to read long form books was limited. I found that graphic novels allowed me to read books in the 10 or 15 minute windows I had while taking care of young children. That has stuck with me. As my kids grew up, I found myself continuing to read graphic novels. My interest in the adult non-fiction genre stems from listening to podcasts. When I hear one that I find interesting, I investigate the book for more in-depth knowledge. I should note that this is more recent, since up until my youngest child was 8 years old, I wouldn’t have had time for those books.
WHAT BOOK DO YOU THINK YOU’VE REREAD THE MOST?
That would be The Battle Book, a statistical collection of all world battles up to 1992. My first copy fell apart around 2,000 and I’m on my second one. The book hits a sweet spot for me: I enjoy numbers, statistics, and analysis of battles.
That would be The Battle Book, a statistical collection of all world battles up to 1992. My first copy fell apart around 2,000 and I’m on my second one. The book hits a sweet spot for me: I enjoy numbers, statistics, and analysis of battles.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?
I think my wife would argue I never relax — but I do. Before I go to bed I listen to a podcast and paint models for use in wargames. That is how I relax. One of my philosophies is to find the things that you enjoy and do them whenever possible. So my list will be long: Play all manner of games (board, wargames, role-playing, sports, poker), go out to eat, go to the movies, and go to renaissance faires. The common thread is spending time with people.
I think my wife would argue I never relax — but I do. Before I go to bed I listen to a podcast and paint models for use in wargames. That is how I relax. One of my philosophies is to find the things that you enjoy and do them whenever possible. So my list will be long: Play all manner of games (board, wargames, role-playing, sports, poker), go out to eat, go to the movies, and go to renaissance faires. The common thread is spending time with people.
WHAT WOULD FOLKS BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?
I think there would be a lot of things, but I’ll go with these two: I played in a recreational men’s basketball league for 20 years and I have never ridden the subway.
I think there would be a lot of things, but I’ll go with these two: I played in a recreational men’s basketball league for 20 years and I have never ridden the subway.
WHAT’S THE COOLEST THING ABOUT MFL’S NEW HOME IN THE ROOSEVELT COMMUNITY CENTER?
There is so much to like about it, but for me it’s that feeling when you walk in the door. You walk into a bright open place that’s inviting you in, and when you look around you realize that this amazing space has something to offer everyone. The private tutoring and conference rooms get a great deal of use, as much as we had hoped they would. The teen space gets more teens in it than the old building ever had. The community collaborative space has at least one group using it daily. The makerspace has multiple programs every week that would have been challenging in the old building.
There is so much to like about it, but for me it’s that feeling when you walk in the door. You walk into a bright open place that’s inviting you in, and when you look around you realize that this amazing space has something to offer everyone. The private tutoring and conference rooms get a great deal of use, as much as we had hoped they would. The teen space gets more teens in it than the old building ever had. The community collaborative space has at least one group using it daily. The makerspace has multiple programs every week that would have been challenging in the old building.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE “DEREK ERA” AT MFL?
From the “Dera”? You can expect a lot of puns. You can look forward to an expanded building with new rooms and new programs. You can look forward to hours and collections tailored as best as possible to the needs of the community. And you can look forward to a smile and friendly greeting every time you find me.
From the “Dera”? You can expect a lot of puns. You can look forward to an expanded building with new rooms and new programs. You can look forward to hours and collections tailored as best as possible to the needs of the community. And you can look forward to a smile and friendly greeting every time you find me.
