Lauded as a Librarian, Alumna Homa Naficy ‘80 Advocates for Immigrants

Homa Naficy ’80 never set out to become a librarian, or even a U.S. citizen, for that matter. Yet in her decades-long career as a librarian she has excelled at both, earning prestigious accolades along the way: In 2013 the Obama White House named her a Champion of Change, and in 2020 the American Library Association awarded her the annual I Love My Librarian award. She was among the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s 2024 Class of Great Immigrants, and in September 2025, she will be inducted into the Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame, a Connecticut-focused program from the National Immigrant Heritage Center. “Sometimes,” she reflects with characteristic humility, “your destiny places you somewhere and you go with it.” 

Much of Naficy’s recognition is due to her work as creator and executive director of the Hartford Public Library’s program The American Place, where immigrants and refugees find support, educational programs, and other life-changing resources on their journey to integration as U.S. residents and citizens. 

In Naficy’s case, her destiny began by being a dutiful daughter — albeit one equipped early with a global mindset. Born in Paris to Iranian parents, she attended primary school in Iran, middle and junior high school in England, and high school back in Iran. When the Iranian Revolution began in 1978, she quickly returned to England to take her A-levels. Despite moving so often, she says, “that's how you adapt and learn about people. It's difficult when you leave your schools and your friends, but at the same time, it made me very adaptable.” Unbeknownst to her at the time, the experience would make her an empathetic leader in her future profession working with Hartford, Connecticut’s vibrant immigrant and refugee communities, many of whom arrive in the U.S. at a young age. 

At her parents’ wishes, Naficy attended what was then called the American College of Paris (later renamed The American University of Paris), where she studied international relations. “At that time, we didn’t make those decisions; your parents made those decisions,” she acknowledges, with a knowing chuckle.  

Her path toward moving to the U.S. and earning a master’s degree in library science was similarly influenced by cultural tradition, her sense of familial duty, and her desire to make a professional impact. For Naficy, “we’re in a different generation right now, where everyone does whatever they want to do, frankly, at any age. But in my culture, you follow your parents unless you’re married. Then, you follow your spouse. At that time, my father had moved to the U.S., my mother was going to move to the U.S., and my brother was already a U.S. citizen, so I didn't have many options. And they wouldn't leave a single woman alone in Paris, believe me!”  

She arrived in New Jersey at the age of 24, dreaming of becoming an artist. The classes she took at New York’s School of Visual Arts continued her exploration of the arts that had begun with a few courses at the just-opened Parsons School of Design in Paris. Ultimately, however, she felt that, as an artist, “you have to be honest with yourself, and I wasn't competitive enough. I wouldn't get very far professionally.” Next, Naficy found work in the hotel industry. But her mother knew it was not the right path, nudging her daughter toward library school. “My mom said, ‘This is a nice, quiet job, and you'll find a nice husband.’” Laughing, Naficy notes that neither of those things came to fruition — her job is never quiet, and she hasn’t found the right partner. She still enjoys painting, however, when she has the time. 

Before long, Naficy’s career in libraries was off to a rollicking start. After earning her MLS at Rutgers University, she was hired at the Newark Public Library, then Yonkers Public Library, and then the Westchester Library System, which serves public libraries within the county.  

In 2000, she came to Hartford Public Library, where she has been for 25 years. Inspired by her own process of gaining U.S. citizenship that same year, she joined Hartford Public Library to build and run The American Place, which had received grant funding but not yet been implemented. The American Place offered an array of services for an international community of immigrants and refugees seeking resources. It was here that her experience at ACP aided in her success: “Coming from a college that was very international, and having peers and friends who were from different parts of the world, was helpful to me in doing what I’ve been doing for the past 25 years.” 

Although she could not have anticipated how impactful her work in public libraries would be, she and her team saw The American Place’s immediate effect in the community. The program grew as it served more diverse populations, winning grants and awards, and helping immigrants improve their English, learn about America’s civic values, access affordable legal counsel, and apply for citizenship. 

Always community-oriented, Naficy credits her team of nearly two dozen with the program’s success: “I really owe the success of The American Place to my colleagues. They each oversee a certain program of the department. For example, our after-school program supports adolescents who enter the school system between ages 16 and 18 with limited English proficiency and minimal prior education, often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. With only two to three years before aging out of the system and expected to graduate, these students face significant challenges. Under the exceptional leadership of its director, the program this year alone has enabled 55 students to successfully enroll in college. Sadly, [the spotlight] shines on me, but it's always thanks to the people who work with me.” 

In a world that is increasingly individualistic, nationalistic, and hostile to immigrants, Naficy’s focus on supporting her community’s most vulnerable populations has inspired many. She is an exceptional example of AUP’s alumni network of global citizens, who value — and are a part of — the powerful contributions immigrants make to their community. Yet Naficy remains modest and communal with regard to her impact. “Sometimes,” she reiterates, “destiny will place you there,” right where you need to be, and especially if you are listening to your community, adapting to meet their needs, and shining your light on others. Sometimes, as shown by Naficy’s many achievements, that’s just when the spotlight finds you.