Administrative Staff

Chicago Public Library organizational chart

Chris Brown, Commissioner

Chris Brown is the Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library, one of the world’s largest public library systems, spanning 81 neighborhood libraries and approximately 1.9 million square feet of public space across Chicago. His work focuses on how public institutions create opportunity, strengthen democratic life, and cultivate cultures of reading, learning, and belonging. He leads a civic institution of more than 1,000 staff members that anchors millions of annual visits, digital interactions, and learning experiences across Chicago.

Under Brown’s leadership, Chicago Public Library has advanced a civic vision grounded in the freedom to read, to learn, and to discover, positioning libraries as essential public spaces for literacy, creativity, connection, and civic participation. CPL is among Chicago’s largest providers of early literacy programming and one of the city’s most accessible out-of-school-time learning environments for youth and families. Through its nationally recognized YOUmedia spaces, CPL engages tens of thousands of young people annually through creative and career-connected learning experiences spanning media, technology, arts, storytelling, and summer employment. CPL also serves as a critical source of free broadband access for low-connected Chicagoans and plays an important role in creating book-abundant neighborhood spaces through collections, literacy programming, school partnerships, and child-and-caregiver learning experiences.

During Brown’s first five years as Commissioner, Chicago Public Library secured an additional $10 million in annual funding for library collections, strengthening public access to books, multilingual materials, digital resources, and neighborhood-based learning opportunities across the city. Brown and his team also led the design and development of the Chicago Public Library branch at the Obama Presidential Center, the first public library branch located within a presidential center campus. He also secured CPL’s first integrated citywide capital and programmatic strategy in partnership with the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Gensler, Civic Consulting Alliance, and the Chicago Public Library Foundation. During his tenure, CPL also launched one of the nation’s largest student library access initiatives through a partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Mayor’s Office, automatically connecting approximately 315,000 students to library access through their existing student IDs.

Brown has prioritized investments in archival stewardship and cultural memory. During his tenure, Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Public Library Foundation were awarded a $2 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the preservation, digitization, and activation of the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, one of the nation’s most significant archives documenting Black history and culture in the Midwest. CPL also established its first Librarian of Latine Collections and Programming position to expand the library’s investment in culturally responsive collections, scholarship, and public programming.

Brown and team have emphasized partnerships that position libraries as civic and cultural anchors within neighborhood life, including collaborations with the American Writers Museum, Chicago Zine Fest, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Poetry Foundation, and numerous neighborhood-based organizations focused on literacy, food access, youth engagement, and cultural life.

Earlier in his career, Brown helped pilot one of the first public library partnerships with Headspace to expand access to mental health resources and led veterans storytelling initiatives supported by the California State Library that were featured by Newsweek, PBS NewsHour, and The Washington Post. He has also served as editor of the Journal of Library Administration and as a board member of the California Library Association.

Brown was elected to serve on the Board of the Public Library Association and currently serves on the boards of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, CAN TV, and Latinos Progresando. His work has been recognized with honors including the Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award, American Library Association John Cotton Dana Award, and Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers recognition.

Brown holds master’s degrees in Public Administration and Library and Information Science. He is a proud Filipino and the first Filipino Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library. At home, he is most proud of being the nightly picture-book reader for his toddler.

Mary Ellen Messner, First Deputy Commissioner

Maggie Clemons, Deputy Commissioner, Library Operations and Patron Experience

Mary Robinson, Deputy Commissioner, Administration and Finance

Deanie Adams, Director, Sulzer Regional

Shannon Bourne, Director of Library Programs and Events

Esmeralda Bueno, District Chief, Programming & Partnerships

Tamela Chambers, District 5 Chief, Southwest
Locations: Archer Heights, Beverly, Brainerd, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Clearing, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, Kelly, Mount Greenwood, Scottsdale, Sherman Park, Thurgood Marshall, Walker, West Englewood, West Lawn, West Pullman, Woodson Regional and Wrightwood

Shamil Clay, Director of Marketing

Chianta Dorsey, Division Chief, Archives and Special Collections

Shelley Hughes, District 1 Chief, Far North
Locations: Albany Park, Austin-Irving, Bezazian, Budlong Woods, Dunning, Edgebrook, Edgewater, Independence, Jefferson Park, Mayfair, Northtown, North Austin, North Pulaski, Portage Cragin, Oriole Park, Roden, Rogers Park, Sulzer Regional, Uptown

Erema Jackson, Director, Finance

Shilo Jefferson, Director, Legler Regional
Locations: Austin, Douglass, Legler, West Chicago

Julie Koslowsky, Director, Teen Services

Kate Lapinski, Director, Adult Services

Lindsay Laren, Assistant Commissioner, Collections, Content and Access

Brent Lipinski, Assistant Commissioner, Patron Experience

Shenita Mack, Central Library Director
Locations: Harold Washington Library Center, Water Works

Erin McKinnie, District 2 Chief, North
Locations: Back of the Yards, Bucktown-Wicker Park, Canaryville, Chinatown, Daley, Richard J., Daley, Richard M., Humboldt Park, Lincoln Belmont, Lincoln Park, Little Italy, Little Village, Logan Square, Lozano, Mabel Manning, McKinley Park, Merlo, Near North, Toman, West Loop, West Town

Patrick Molloy, Director, Government and Public Affairs

Renee Neumeier, Director of Staff Development

Julie OBrochta, Assistant Commissioner, Facility Planning and Building Operations

Nesha Saunders, District 4 Chief, Southeast
Locations: Altgeld, Avalon, Bessie Coleman, Blackstone, Chicago Bee, Greater Grand Crossing, Hall, Hegewisch, Jeffery Manor, King, Pullman, South Chicago, South Shore, Vodak-East Side, Whitney Young

Nicole Steeves, Director, Library Technology

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