Public Libraries today and their role in supporting Canadian authors

Mary Chevreau

Mary Chevreau is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kitchener Public Library in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, where she provides the vision and leadership for programs and services for Kitchener citizens. With a focus on print and digital literacy, and as a champion for arts and culture, she participates on boards, round tables and community initiatives to promote and strengthen the library’s place as a core community hub. Through her leadership, the Library is developing a reputation as a library innovator in Canada, with the first WiFi lending program in the country, a 200+ musical instrument lending library, near-professional recording, broadcast and podcast studios with unique community partnership arrangements for use, and a bold approach to managing relationships with library customers.  She is a leader in developing innovative library programs to support the community’s most vulnerable customers, including embedding outreach staff within the library core teams, adding supportive programming to those experiencing homelessness, and establishing restorative justice initiatives to re-introduce those who have been banned from library spaces. Through her leadership, Kitchener Public Library is building a standalone 100% net-zero library in Southwest Kitchener – the first public building of its kind in Ontario (completion 2024).
Chevreau is past-Chair for the Canadian Urban Library Council and sits on the Board for the Canadian Federation of Library Associations.  She also sits on the Board of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries, representing large urban libraries.
Mary received her BA in Music from Western University (formerly the University of Western Ontario) followed by an MLIS also from Western University. Prior to joining the Library, Ms. Chevreau ran the North American Sales Division for Innovative Interfaces, a library management solutions company. During her tenure, Mary literally worked with hundreds of public libraries in North America, an experience that enables her to view the future of libraries through a unique lens.