Martha Kennedy has been a dedicated member of Concord Academy for the past 32 years, serving as both the library director and school archivist. She first joined CA in 1994 as a part-time library assistant and has since become an integral part of the community. In addition to her work in the library, Kennedy has also been an admissions reader for the past five years, helping shape each incoming class.
As library director, Kennedy values the opportunity to connect with students and faculty members as they explore new interests and pursue them in their chosen fields. She describes the library as a city and the librarian as its mayor. “You get to know your constituents whether they're young or old,” Kennedy says. She also especially enjoys managing the archives, which is a collection of institutional records that preserves CA’s history and values, ranging from incorporation papers and early course catalogs to ephemera and student publications.
As an admissions reader, Kennedy finds a different kind of fulfillment. She cherishes the chance to learn about the applicants through their stories before they arrive on campus. “When a student I've read that I got to know through their application comes, I get to know the student as a three-dimensional human being and see where they go over their four years here,” she remarked.
Growing up in Westford, Massachusetts, about eight miles away from CA, Kennedy spent much of her childhood in Concord, wandering along Main Street and exploring the local stores and markets. She played drums in a drum corps alongside her sister, who played the fife. One of her favorite childhood memories is marching into Concord on April 19, 1975, with her father, a member of the Westford Minutemen, as they joined the parade down Main Street as part of the bicentennial celebration of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
While earning her Master of Science in Library and Information Science degree at Simmons College (now Simmons University), Kennedy began the process of job searching. One summer, while taking a graduate course, her mother noticed a newspaper advertisement for a part-time librarian and archivist at CA. Encouraged by her mother, Kennedy called the number and spoke with a staff member. About 12 minutes later, she was invited for an interview. With her previous public school teaching experience and her passion for libraries and preserving history, Kennedy soon began what would become a decades-long journey at CA.
During her free time, Kennedy enjoys gardening, maintaining a vegetable patch in Lincoln and kitchen gardens at Thoreau Farm in Concord. She often shares what she harvests with friends, family, and the CA community. In addition, Kennedy loves hiking and canoeing with Scottie, her Labrador. She is an avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction and keeps a reading list that is always growing; her favorite nonfiction author being Tracy Kidder. “I find there's so much you can escape into with books and learn on your own,” Kennedy said.
From archives to the library shelves, Kennedy’s work reflects a lasting dedication to storytelling, learning, and creativity within the CA community. She is also a familiar presence at CA concerts and in art studios, where she continues to support and appreciate the creative life of the school. Altogether, Kennedy’s wide-ranging contributions continue to inspire curiosity, connection, and a deeper appreciation for learning at CA.