The Toronto Public Library Board has appointed Vickery Bowles as its new City Librarian, effective January 5, 2015.

Ms Bowles has worked for Toronto Public Library in a number of capacities over the years, and brings diverse experience in public library service. As a public service director, she has worked with community groups, residents and staff to develop services that meet the needs of Toronto’s diverse population.

Currently the Director of Collections Management and City-Wide Services, Bowles oversees collection development for the Library’s print, audiovisual and electronic collections – more than 10 million items in total. She has spearheaded Toronto Public Library’s transition to digital collections while continuing to respond to customer demand for traditional books and other materials.

“I’m thrilled to be leading the public library service of this great city. There are many opportunities ahead for advancing public library service for the 21^st century,” said Vickery Bowles. “As we move forward, Toronto Public Library will continue to champion reading and literacy, encourage lifelong learning and support creativity and collaboration. We’ll build on past successes while leading the transition to digital technology, developing new and innovative approaches to library service. I look forward to working with the Library Board, staff, the Mayor, City Council and our partners throughout the city to continue to provide Torontonians with the very best in public library service.”

The Toronto Public Library Board conducted an extensive international search over an eight month period to fill the City Librarian position.

“Toronto Public Library is a global leader and one of the best public library systems in the world,” said City Councillor Jaye Robinson, former Vice Chair of the Library Board and Chair of the Selection Committee. “We’re proud of our library system and our new City Librarian has the strength and vision to build on its success.”

“Vickery brings a wealth of experience to her new role, as well as a passion for public library service and a deep understanding of the library’s role in strengthening our city,” said Michael Foderick, Chair of the Toronto Public Library Board. “She begins her new role at an exciting time, and will be leading one of the world’s busiest urban library systems through a period of change as libraries continue to evolve in the digital age.”

Ms Bowles is a board member for the Centre for Equitable Library Access, an organization that promotes access to books for Canadians with print disabilities, and is also a member of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council Ebook Task Group. Most recently, Bowles became the chair of the Canadian Library Association Public Library Task Group on Ebooks.

“The Board Selection Committee saw a wide range of very qualified candidates, with many strengths among them,” said selection committee member Larry Alford, Chief Librarian, University of Toronto Libraries. “However, Vickery’s vision and innovative approach to successfully leading a library into the future, coupled with her strong grasp of the operational challenges of a large urban library like Toronto Public Library, made her the clear choice.”

Toronto Public Library is one of the world’s busiest urban public library systems. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visittorontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what’s happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.

-30-

Media Contact:

Ana-Maria Critchley, 416-393-7212, media@torontopubliclibrary.ca