Darby O'Brien has been the Director of the Utica Public Library since 1990. Prior to joining the UPL staff she was the Director of the Traurig Library of Post College (now Teikyo Post University) in Waterbury, CT. Darby has also worked at Plainfield (NJ) Public Library, Linden (NJ) Public Library and Rutgers University Library. She received her BA in English Literature from St. Bonaventure University, her MLS from Rutgers University and her MS in Organization and Management from Central Connecticut State University.

Darby is a member of the American Library Association and the New York Library Association. She is a past Board member of the Central New York Library Resources Council.

Her community involvement includes the Rotary Club of Utica, Thea Bowman Board, Leadership Mohawk Valley Board and the Weed and Seed Steering Committee. Darby is a 1992 graduate of Leadership Mohawk Valley.