Maxine Bleiweis is a renowned library innovator and executive director with years of experience in transforming the traditional library into a hub of community activity. With a Masters in Library Science from Rutgers University and a BA in Social Sciences from Elmira College, Bleiweis has made a significant impact in communities across Connecticut.

During her 17-year tenure as Executive Director of the Westport Library, Bleiweis introduced new technologies and pioneered the trend of introducing 3D printing and robots in public libraries. Her work earned numerous awards, including the Connecticut Library Association’s Outstanding Librarian of the Year Award in 2011 and the Public Library Association’s Charles Robinson Award for Innovative Leadership in 2015.

Bleiweis also wrote "Helping Business: The Library’s Role in Community Economic Development" during her time as Executive Director of the public library in Newington in the 1990s, and has since acted as a consultant for libraries, vendors, and architects.

In addition to her library expertise, Bleiweis has also designed two library facilities and consulted on the design of others, applying her study of building trends around the world.

A few years back, the U.S. State Department asked Bleiweis to host a conference of librarians visiting from Moscow, and later sent Bleiweis to Russia to share her experiences as an innovator.