Cecil HIXON
Cecil Hixon died in New York on January 15, 2021.
Cecil attended the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979. He then completed a Master’s of Library Science degree at Atlanta University.
After beginning his professional career at the Atlanta Fulton Public Library, Cecil joined NYPL on July 14, 1986. He worked in several Bronx branches, including Grand Concourse, Francis Martin, and Eastchester, where he served as Branch Librarian. He then assumed the position of Programming Specialist at the Office of Adult Services. In this position, Cecil planned and managed branch public programs for adults. These included author and informational programs, theater and music presentations, and book discussion groups. He was Chair of the OAS Booklist Committee. Throughout his NYPL career, he was a dedicated mentor to numerous staff members. Cecil remained at OAS until his retirement on July 21, 2007.
Cecil was active in professional organizations for many years. He co-founded the American Library Association Black Caucus Literary Awards and co-chaired the first award presentation in 1994. He served as Chair of the ALA Stonewall Book Awards for a number of years. He continued these activities into his retirement. In 2011, Cecil joined the then newly created Over the Rainbow Committee which selects titles that exhibit commendable literary quality and significant LGBTQIA+ content. This list is sponsored by the ALA GLBT Roundtable in which he was also an active participant.
See New York Public Library Retirees Newsletter, Issue 46, page 2
See New York Public Library Retirees Newsletter, Issue 39, page 12.
Cecil Hixon died in New York on January 15, 2021.
Cecil attended the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979. He then completed a Master’s of Library Science degree at Atlanta University.
After beginning his professional career at the Atlanta Fulton Public Library, Cecil joined NYPL on July 14, 1986. He worked in several Bronx branches, including Grand Concourse, Francis Martin, and Eastchester, where he served as Branch Librarian. He then assumed the position of Programming Specialist at the Office of Adult Services. In this position, Cecil planned and managed branch public programs for adults. These included author and informational programs, theater and music presentations, and book discussion groups. He was Chair of the OAS Booklist Committee. Throughout his NYPL career, he was a dedicated mentor to numerous staff members. Cecil remained at OAS until his retirement on July 21, 2007.
Cecil was active in professional organizations for many years. He co-founded the American Library Association Black Caucus Literary Awards and co-chaired the first award presentation in 1994. He served as Chair of the ALA Stonewall Book Awards for a number of years. He continued these activities into his retirement. In 2011, Cecil joined the then newly created Over the Rainbow Committee which selects titles that exhibit commendable literary quality and significant LGBTQIA+ content. This list is sponsored by the ALA GLBT Roundtable in which he was also an active participant.
See New York Public Library Retirees Newsletter, Issue 46, page 2
See New York Public Library Retirees Newsletter, Issue 39, page 12.