Hartford Public Library Names New Digital Library Lab Manager
[HARTFORD, CT - January 29, 2026] — Hartford Public Library (HPL) announced that Leon Ha has been named Manager of its Digital Library Lab (DLL@HPL) effective October 20. Leon brings deep experience from the commercial digitization sector and a strong customer service orientation that will help expand the DLL@HPL’s reach, efficiency, and community impact.
Leon joins HPL from the commercial digitization industry, where he specialized in producing high-quality digital deliverables, developing standardized workflows, and supporting large-scale projects through strategic contract partnerships. His background also includes retail and client-facing roles, giving him a strong foundation in customer service, product management, and financial operations, skills that are critical as the Digital Library Lab continues to grow as both a service provider and a community asset.
The Digital Library Lab offers professional digitization services to a growing roster of clients, including the City of Hartford, Stowe Center for Literary Activism, in addition to several nonprofits, cultural institutions, and community organizations. Through this work, the DLL@HPL preserves important historical records, improves public access to information, and generates revenue that is reinvested into HPL’s educational and workforce development programs.
“Leon brings exactly the mix of technical expertise, operational discipline, and customer-centered thinking that the Digital Library Lab needs at this stage of growth,” said Bridget E. Quinn, HPL’s President and CEO. “His leadership will help us expand our services to clients like the City of Hartford while deepening our impact as a mission-driven organization that creates access, opportunity, and pathways to careers.”
As a social enterprise launched in 2019 through Hartford Public Library’s participation in the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation’s Social Enterprise Accelerator, the Digital Library Lab reinvests earned revenue into community learning. In addition to delivering high-quality digitization services, the DLL@HPL serves as a workforce pipeline, training students and community members in digitization, metadata creation, coding, and administrative skills that support college and career readiness.
“I believe the services provided by public libraries are more important than ever, and getting the opportunity to work at Hartford Public Library truly feels like a dream come true,” said Leon Ha, Digital Library Lab Manager. “I’m excited to build on the DLL@HPL’s strong foundation and to support digital preservation and information access for our clients and our community.”
To learn more about the Digital Library Lab at Hartford Public Library, visit dll.hplct.org, email dll@hplct.org, or call 860-965-6293.
About Hartford Public Library:
Founded as the Library Company in 1774, and over its 252 years, Hartford Public Library has remained at the forefront of redefining the urban library experience in the 21st century. The Library has seven full-service locations, two Boundless Library locations, and multiple outreach services, including the Library on Wheels and Story Stash, a 24/7 pickup locker. HPL provides education, intellectual enrichment, and cultural development for thousands of children, youth, and adults. HPL has gained local and national recognition for its wide range of new initiatives and partnerships designed to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic city and region, including immigration services, employment assistance, and youth leadership training. For more information, visit hplct.org