In honor of Women’s History Month, the Sentinel spotlights Skye Patrick, director and CEO of L.A. County Library (LACL). She oversees the county’s 86 public libraries and is its first African American director. The following is an edited version of the discussion with Patrick.
“Folks look up to the James Irvine Foundation Award because it’s one of California’s biggest, most prominent awards, and arguably on the West Coast. There has never been anyone in the library field to receive it, so that’s pretty fantastic,” said the director.
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Patrick and six other women recently received the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for their innovations in improving people’s lives, creating opportunities, and contributing to a better California.
“It shines the light,” she continued, “on the profession and how we impact our communities via all our literacies and modalities — like traditional book literacy, educational, financial, and computer literacy. So, it gives us a chance to remind folks of their love of the library and remind them that we’re here to help and support many of their ideals or interests.”
With the Eaton wildfires contained, Patrick shared the current status of the Topanga branch of LACL, which is located in the Santa Monica mountains. The impressive stone and steel edifice opened in 2012.
“Topanga is in a precarious part of the canyons. So, that area is always impacted whenever there’s a rain, fire, or mudslide. I’m happy to report no damage to Topanga or our Malibu Library. Both of those libraries were closed for an extended period, but we’re back up and running for several weeks now and supporting those communities.”
Later this year, Patrick will earn her doctorate in Information Studies from UCLA. She broke down the intersection of technology and public libraries.
“While technology, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are skyrocketing, we know that so many people either don’t have access to those technologies, don’t know how to use them, or are uncomfortable with them. We can bring them along with us!
“Thirty-plus years ago,” she informed, “libraries were at the forefront of the first digital divide to bring people into the computer age and learn how to use the technology.
“In phase two, we helped people deal with wi-fi access to different services that had gone mobile or digital. In this third wave of the new digital divide, we make sure people know what is meant by, and how to use artificial intelligence and machine learning. Libraries are on the ground floor of the communities we support.”
Since 2016, Patrick has launched IT initiatives and programs dedicated to improving the lives of Californians.
“My greatest moment is our introduction of live tutors coming in after school to help students get back on track after the pandemic. No matter what you want to be, a scientist, the next Beyonce, or an athlete, education is the core of all of it,” she explained.
“We want to help inform people about the modern library’s services so folks can be at their best. I’m also proud of my team. They’re so good at the work that they do!
“Public spaces,” she concluded, “like parks, and entities like the library, benefit the public good, in conjunction with business and the free market. Collectively, they make us a beautiful and diverse place to live.”
Established in 1912 and headquartered in Downey, L.A. County Library is one of the largest public library systems in the U.S., serving residents living in 49 of the 88 incorporated cities of the county.
To learn more, visit www.lacountylibrary.org
