COLUMBUS—Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) CEO Patrick Losinski has announced his retirement after 22 years in the role.
Since 2002, Losinski has led the 23-location library system to:
- Adopt three strategic focuses: Young Minds, My Library and Life Skills
- Implement system-wide School Help Centers to provide after-school support for K-12 students
- Earn Library Journal’s “Library of the Year” honors in 2010 and the Institute of Museum & Library Services’ (IMLS) National Medal in 2011
- Renovate or rebuild 18 of CML’s locations, including its Main Library
- Eliminate overdue fines for borrowed materials
- Welcome nearly 4,000 library professionals from 135 countries to Columbus for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ (IFLA) annual World Library and Information Congress in 2016
- Adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing testing kits, partnering with Battelle for scientific study of the disease on print materials and more
- Speak out against efforts to censor or remove public library materials
- Serve as co-chair of the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition to address the growing digital divide that sees one-in-five households lacking access to broadband internet
- Champion diversity, equity and inclusion – both in CML’s hiring practices and in its programs and partnerships
Prior to joining CML, Losinski served as executive director of Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs. He has worked for public library systems in Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado and Ohio and served on the state library boards in Illinois and Colorado. He served as chair of the Urban Libraries Council and on the Governing Board of IFLA, headquartered in the Hague, Netherlands.
Columbus CEO magazine named him 2015 CEO of the Year in the large non-profit category. He was also awarded the 2017 Regional Leadership Award by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and in 2018 received Columbus Business First’s C-Suite Awards for Most Admired Executive and Lifetime Achievement.
“Pat’s leadership has not only ensured that Columbus Metropolitan Library is ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow, but he’s helped to redefine what a public library can – and should – be in service of its community,” says Tom Katzenmeyer, president of the CML Board of Trustees. “We are immensely grateful to Pat for his remarkable service to the organization, the 23 communities it serves and to the profession.”
CML’s seven-member Board of Trustees will be responsible for hiring a new CEO, a process expected to take several months. Losinski, who will not be involved in this process, will remain in his role until a new CEO is hired.
NOTE: Electronic file of headshot available upon request.
