Welcome John Szabo, New City Librarian

After an extensive national search, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has appointed John Szabo to the top post of the Los Angeles Public Library. The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest population of any library in the United States, which Szabo will oversee beginning this month, including the Central Library and 72 branches, 900 employees, and $113 million budget.

Szabo is excited and up for the mission, coming from the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, which he directed since 2005. In Atlanta, he led a $275 million building program to build, expand, and restore libraries across the county, and he championed for innovative services such as “eCampus,” an online learning environment with virtual courses, career readiness resources, and live tutoring. The Mayor has already tasked Szabo to restore hours at all Los Angeles Public Libraries, and to initiate new strategies to ensure the LAPL remains a national leader in library services. In addition to his role at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, Szabo has been an active community leader and organizer from working with the Department of Arts and Culture to serving on the Executive Board of Urban Libraries Council.

The Library Foundation looks forward to collaborating with the new City Librarian to continue developing the 21st century modern public library that can transform and inspire all Angelenos.

 

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