Skye Patrick facts for kids
Skye Patrick is an American librarian who has been the leader of the LA County Library since February 2016. She helps guide the library system to serve millions of people.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Skye Patrick grew up in Lansing, Michigan. When she was in high school, she worked at a library. This early job helped her discover her passion for libraries.
She earned her first degree from Northern Michigan University in 1996. Later, she got her master's degree in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh. This special degree taught her how to manage and improve libraries.
Skye Patrick is married to Dawn Robinson-Patrick, who is an arts educator. They have one daughter.
Library Work Before LA County
Before coming to Los Angeles, Skye Patrick gained a lot of experience. She was the Director of Libraries for Broward County, Florida. She was the second African American person and the first woman to hold that position.
Before that, she also worked as an Assistant Director. She helped lead libraries in the Queens Public Library in New York and the San Francisco Public Library in California.
Leading the LA County Library
Skye Patrick became the Library Director of LA County Library in February 2016. She is the first African American person to hold this important role.
As of 2023, she leads a huge library system. It includes 85 libraries, special resource centers, and mobile libraries. These libraries serve about 3.5 million people. They have a budget of over $200 million each year.
Helping Library Users
Under Patrick's leadership, the library has made big changes to help people.
- No More Late Fines: The library started a program where people under 21 could "read away" their late fees. This helped 13,000 library accounts become active again. In August 2021, the library completely stopped charging fines for overdue books. This means more people can use the library without worrying about fees.
- iCount Initiative: Patrick started the iCount program. This program makes sure that library services and programs are designed for everyone. It considers people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities. The goal is to make sure the library serves all parts of the community.
Programs for Communities
Skye Patrick has also created special programs to help different communities.
- Barbershop Books: The library partnered with Barbershop Books. They created reading spaces in 10 barbershops in South Los Angeles. These spaces help Black boys aged 4-8 enjoy reading. It connects them with books in a place where they feel comfortable.
- My Brother’s Keeper: The library also started the My Brother’s Keeper Peer Advocates program. This program helps young men of color. They support library projects and gain skills for future jobs and schooling. This program is part of a national effort to improve opportunities for young men of color.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Patrick also launched services to help people get online. This is called addressing the "Digital Divide."
- Laptop and Hotspot Loans: The library offers laptops and internet hotspots for people to borrow. This helps those who might not have internet access at home.
- Park & Connect: People can also use free outdoor Wi-Fi in library parking lots. This service is called Park & Connect.
Libraries as Community Hubs
Under Patrick's guidance, LA County Library branches became important community centers during emergencies.
- COVID-19 Support: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the library worked with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. They set up pop-up testing and vaccination clinics at libraries. This helped many people get important health services.
Awards and Recognition
Skye Patrick and the LA County Library have received many awards for their work.
- In January 2019, Patrick was named "Librarian of the Year" by Library Journal.
- The LA County Library also won "Library of the Year" in 2019 and "Marketer of the Year" in 2018 from Library Journal.
- In 2023, LA County Library received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This is the highest honor given to museums and libraries in the United States. It shows how well the library serves its community.
Personal Life and Community Work
Skye Patrick is also involved in other important groups. She serves on the board of the Urban Libraries Council (ULC). She also works with California Humanities, which promotes cultural programs.
In 2019, she received a Stanton Fellowship from the Durfee Foundation. This fellowship allowed her to explore ways to solve big challenges in Los Angeles. These challenges include how different groups of people live separately based on things like background or income.
