Brian Bannon is the 12th commissioner of the Chicago Public Library which is among the most visited civic institutions in the city and among the largest public library systems in the United States.

As the chief executive, he has worked to expand the library’s essential role as a provider of free educational opportunities for all Chicagoans. He has focused on increasing Internet and advanced technology access in Chicago’s 80 locations, increasing educational services to families with young children, students, and scholars, and collaborating with local government officials and nonprofits to support economic advancement for job seekers and small businesses. Under Brian’s leadership, the Chicago Public Library has added new neighborhood libraries with 21st century capacity, expanded library hours, increased cutting-edge digital media services for teens, expanded free homework help to all locations, and transformed the Library system into a hub for digital learning. As a result of these investments, Chicagoans are using the library in record numbers to access the Internet and online tools, check out materials, build their technology skills, and connect with one another through the extensive branch library network.

Prior to joining the CPL, Brian was a senior executive at the San Francisco Public Library and served in leadership roles at the Seattle Public Library and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Brian graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a BA and received a Master of Library and Information Science from the Information School at the University of Washington.

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