John F. Szabo is the City Librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library, which serves over four million people—the largest population of any library in the United States. As City Librarian, he oversees the Central Library, 72 branches and the library’s $123 million budget. In 2013, 14 million people visited the library and borrowed 15 million items.
Szabo’s major initiatives include those related to immigrant integration and citizenship, improving financial literacy and providing health resources and programs. He has expanded the library’s reach into the city’s diverse communities through partnerships with community-based organizations.
He has more than 20 years of leadership experience in public libraries. Throughout his career, Szabo has championed innovative library services that address critical community needs in areas including health disparities, workforce development, adult literacy, school readiness and emergent literacy for preschoolers. He also has extensive experience in consensus building and outreach to diverse communities.
Szabo’s previous experience includes serving as the director of the Atlanta-Fulton (GA) Public Library System (2005-2012), Clearwater (FL) Public Library System (1998-2005), Palm Harbor (FL) Public Library (1995-1998), Robinson (IL) Public Library District (1992-1995).
Szabo received his master’s degree in information and library studies at University of Michigan and his bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from University of Alabama. He completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He participated in a Group Study Exchange with Rotary International, visiting libraries and archives in Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.
He is currently a member of the Executive Board of the Urban Libraries Council.
John Szabo on KCRW
More from KCRW
Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do resigns, admits to taking bribes
Orange CountyFormer Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has agreed to plead guilty to federal corruption charges after prosecutors say he accepted more than half a million dollars in bribes.
Harris’ performance with women, Trump’s impact on foreign policy
NewsA majority of women voters cast ballots for Kamala Harris. But Harris did worse among women voters than Joe Biden did in 2020. Why?
Power of Latino voters, ‘Quiet in a World Full of Noise’ album
NewsAfter ugly comments about Latinos at a Trump rally over the weekend, the spotlight is on that demographic’s changing voting patterns and role in key swing states.
These 10 companies run our ‘democracy’
Business & EconomyAmidst the hype, excitement and nervousness of the election, the bigger picture of what the United States is and how it operates often gets lost on people.
Oliver Burkeman and the art of imperfectionism
Psychology“Meditations for Mortals” author Oliver Burkeman discusses the complexities of happiness, well-being, and productivity.
Will Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ bring big changes to Netflix?; Roy Wood Jr. ‘pledges allegiance to the joke’
EntertainmentAs Greta Gerwig prepares to dive into production on her adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, the director is attempting to persuade Netflix to release her film on thousands of IMAX…
Shirley MacLaine, Mati Diop and André Holland on The Treat
ArtsShirley Maclaine tells us all about her legendary life, filmmaker Mati Diop speaks on her new doc “Dahomey,” and André Holland has The Treat.
Connect the dots from house music to amapiano: Live From KCRW HQ
ArtsGrammy winning producer Latroit, powerhouse South African vocalist Nomvula Maneli, and LA gospel royalty DC6 Singers Collective bring “History of House” to HQ.
Wiener dog races bring German spirit to Huntington Beach
AnimalsOktoberfest lasts all fall in Huntington Beach, where a small German neighborhood hosts annual dachshund races from June to December.