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
LA brings a different energy to Erick the Architect’s music
NewsErick Elliott ’s (a.k.a. Erick the Architect) first solo album, “I’ve Never Been Here Before,” features big-name collaborators like James Blake and George Clinton.
Brain Drain
Health & WellnessAmerica's dependency on foreign medical graduates, helps us but disadvantages countries around the world.
Bonus Listen: Kendrick Lamar and the big samples (from “Switched on Pop”)
ArtsLost Notes returns with a brand new episode next Wednesday. To tide you over, we’re featuring a deep dive into Kendrick Lamar’s 2022 album Mr.
Weekend film reviews: ‘Abigail,’ ‘We Grown Now,’ ‘The People’s Joker’
EntertainmentCritics review the latest film releases: “Abigail,” “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” “We Grown Now,” and “The People's Joker.”
What to do when climate change feels unstoppable (from “TED Climate”) - Bonus episode
EnvironmentThis is an episode of TED Climate we think you’d enjoy, a podcast from the TED Audio Collective, which is back for a new season.
Will animals cross one of the nation’s busiest freeways?
AnimalsConstruction has begun in Agoura Hills on the world’s largest wildlife road crossing. How do you get animals to cross over the busy 101 freeway?
Is an American parliament the answer to our rotting democracy?
PoliticsOn this episode of the Scheer Intelligence podcast, host Robert Scheer welcomes Maxwell L.
Trump v. United States: Supreme Court live coverage
NewsThe Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in the case of Trump vs. the United States.
Ray McGovern: One more presidential briefing with “President Scheer”
PoliticsRay McGovern, the 27-year CIA veteran who counseled seven presidents, joins host Robert Scheer in a Theatre of the Absurd reenactment of McGovern's historic role.