Pickering Public Library has appointed Kristine D’Souza as its new Chief Executive Officer and Director of Public Libraries.
The new Pickering library CEO officially began the role on July 20, following what the library board described as an extensive national recruitment process.
D’Souza brings more than 22 years of public-library experience, including senior leadership positions involving branch operations, collections, programming, technology and community services.
The Pickering Public Library Board said her record of strategic leadership, public service and community engagement made her well-positioned to guide the library through its next stage of growth.
Pickering Library CEO Brings Extensive Experience
Before joining Pickering, D’Souza served as Director of Public Services at Kingston Frontenac Public Library.
In that role, she oversaw branch operations, collections and programming across the organization’s 16-branch system. The official City of Pickering announcement confirms that the system has 16 branches, correcting reports that described it as a 17-branch operation.
D’Souza previously served as Chief Librarian and Library Services Manager with Lennox and Addington Libraries. She also held several leadership roles at Ottawa Public Library.
Her professional experience includes modernizing library services, obtaining funding, building community partnerships and leading organizational and technological improvements designed around changing public needs.
D’Souza holds a Master of Library and Information Science as well as a degree in Community and Ethnic Studies.
New CEO Plans to Listen to Pickering Residents
In the City’s announcement, D’Souza said she was honoured to join Pickering Public Library and looked forward to working with its staff, board members and community.
She identified listening to residents, building on the library’s existing strengths and developing innovative and inclusive services as priorities for her new position.
D’Souza also emphasized the role libraries play in helping people of different ages and backgrounds learn, discover new ideas and connect with one another.
Akeem Maginley, chair of the Pickering Public Library Board, said D’Souza’s leadership experience, strategic vision and commitment to public service would help the library continue improving services for local patrons.
Library Serves Thousands of Pickering Residents
Pickering Public Library reports approximately 46,000 active library-card accounts and serves a city population of about 118,000 people across 33,000 households.
The system operates four locations and records more than 495,000 visits annually. It also lends more than 550,000 physical items, delivers events attended by more than 19,000 people and provides thousands of public-computer and digital-learning sessions each year.
The library describes its mission as bringing people together to discover, learn, play and connect.
As Pickering library CEO, D’Souza joins the organization while the city continues investing in library facilities and services.
The recently opened Greenwood Heritage Library is part of the new Dorsay Heritage and Community Centre and includes local-history resources, outdoor trails, lending items beyond traditional books and Pickering’s first holds locker.
Pickering is also planning a future library as part of the proposed Seaton Recreation Complex, increasing the importance of long-term facility and service planning.
D’Souza is now listed as CEO and Director of Public Libraries on the library’s official leadership page.
Her appointment begins a new leadership period for the organization as it works to respond to Pickering’s growing population, changing technology and evolving community needs.
