Skye Patrick recently became the first African-American Library Director for the County of Los Angeles Public Library. Patrick began her position at the County Library on February 1. She leads one of the largest public library systems in the country. The County Library operates 86 community libraries and 3 bookmobiles in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and in 49 of the County’s 88 cities. The library serves 3.4 million residents, offering a collection of over 5 million items.
Patrick succeeded Margaret Donnellan Todd, who retired in August 2015 after 14 years.
Ms. Patrick relocated from Florida to Los Angeles for the position. Most recently, for the past three years, she has served as the Director of Libraries for Broward County, Florida. Prior to her Florida assignment, Ms. Patrick was Assistant Director of the Queens Public Library, where she managed 20 branch locations in that system.
As County Librarian, Ms. Patrick is responsible for all aspects of the County Library’s programs and services, and day-to-day operations; including the review and management of the library’s $126.3 million annual budget.
Ms. Patrick has been recognized for introducing innovative programming, expanding library hours with no increase of budget, and reinforcing the library system’s role in the community as a civic and cultural center, a hub for public information and services, and an institution of literacy, innovation and lifelong learning.
