OKLAHOMA CITY – Julie Ballou was selected as the new executive director by the Metropolitan Library Commission, effective Oct. 8, 2018. Ballou previously served as deputy executive director of public services.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a great organization into a new era of library services for the people of Oklahoma County,” Ballou said.

Ballou has worked for the Metropolitan Library System for 25 years. She began her library career at the Village Library in 1993. After many years as a librarian, she later worked as a materials selector before accepting the position of library manager at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library. She opened and managed the Patience S. Latting Northwest Library until she was promoted as a regional library director in 2015. She became deputy executive director of public services in 2018.

“There were several strong candidates who applied for the position,” Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Library Commission Dr. Ann Caine said. “However, we believe Julie’s experience and dedication to the Metropolitan Library System made her the best choice for the position. We are excited for the future of Metro under her leadership.”

Ballou said she will take time to evaluate the changes that the library has undergone over the past five years and consider what is best of the future of the library moving forward.

The executive director position was vacant for 14 months during the hiring process. During that time, Anne Fischer, deputy executive director of information technology, and Kay Bauman, former deputy executive director of public services, served as interim executive director.