Heidi Daniel to become King County Library Systems new Executive Director

The King County Library System's Board of Trustees appointed Heidi Daniel as the new Executive Director, effective March 11, 2024, following a nationwide search after Lisa Rosenblum's retirement announcement. Daniel brings extensive experience from her role as president and CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, where she implemented innovative initiatives and spearheaded significant renovations. Her leadership led the Pratt to become one of the first fines-free libraries on the East Coast and to launch an Office of Equity and Fair Practices. KCLS Board President Harish Kulkarni praised Daniel's qualifications, noting the thorough selection process that involved diverse community input. Interim Executive Director Angie Miraflor expressed excitement about Daniel's broad leadership experience and relationship-building skills.

Daniel's commitment to education stems from her upbringing, and she holds degrees in women's studies and library sciences. Founded in 1942, KCLS serves nearly 1. 6 million people and is recognized for its excellence in public library services. The library system was named Library of the Year by Gale/Library Journal in 2011 and continues to be a vital resource in the Pacific Northwest.