Peter Coyl
Library Director and CEO, Sacramento Public Library
Peter Coyl leads California's fourth-largest public library system. The Sacramento Public Library serves one of the nation’s most diverse populations, with 28 libraries serving 1.5 million residents across Sacramento County. He is a member of the ALA Executive Board and a past president of the Freedom to Read Foundation. He has spent more than two decades in libraries in five states defending the right of communities to read what they choose.
Leadership
Since January 2022, Peter has been Library Director and CEO of the Sacramento Public Library Authority, a Joint Powers Agency serving the residents of Sacramento County and the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento.
Under his leadership:
- Digital checkouts have passed 5 million, and in-person visits reached 2.34 million fiscal year to date as of June 2026, continuing a multi-year rise in both.
- The systemwide rebrand and website relaunch in November 2025 earned a CAPIO EPIC Award in 2026, a Bronze Award from the Drum Awards, Third Place in the 2026 PRINT Awards for Branding Identities, and the Communications team behind it was named 2026 Marketer of the Year by Library Journal.
- In 2026 the Urban Libraries Council selected the Authority for its Journalists in the Library initiative, one of eight libraries nationally and one of two in California, in partnership with PBS KVIE.
“Libraries can learn from retail without becoming retail.”
Earlier leadership
Montclair Public Library, New Jersey
Library Director, 2017 to 2021
Led one of New Jersey's busiest library systems. Launched an electric Tuk-Tuk mobile library, led the library's 125th anniversary, and restored its 1752 Azariah Crane land deed. Kept services running through the COVID-19 pandemic under significant funding constraints.
Dallas Public Library
Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager, and District Manager, 2011 to 2017
Included the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.
Other positions
Bookmobile Driver, International School Librarian, Library Advisory Commission Member, and Chief of Staff at a State Legislature.
Peter holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science (with a concentration in Youth Services) from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Public Policy from Oakland University. He has also studied abroad in Beijing and Taipei.
Building Sacramento's libraries
Working with the member jurisdictions, the Authority is renovating across nearly half of its facilities thanks to the Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program through the California State Library. The more than $34.5 million in capital projects have included ADA enhancements, HVAC replacements, and renovations of three facilities. Four library building renovation projects will complete within a twelve month period ending in early 2027.
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December 2025
Colonial Heights
A July 2024 fire closed the library. Peter directed its recovery and a renovation of more than $1 million. It partially reopened in December 2025 and resumed full operations in March 2026.
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August 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Library
Reopened after a renovation led by City of Sacramento Public Works, with study rooms, a makerspace, and a larger community room. The project was named 2026 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Sacramento Chapter.
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October 2026
Elk Grove
An 18,147-square-foot library in a former Rite Aid building, with the system's first book locker, a makerspace, and a library of things. On its first day, the Sacramento Bee reported dozens of patrons: children playing games, teens in study rooms, and adults checking out books. This project was recognized as a SMUD Carbon Free Champion by the Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC).
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2027
North Sacramento-Hagginwood
This $15 million adaptive-reuse renovation will replace a 4,000-square-foot storefront with a new modern library 3 times the size of the current space. It will open in early 2027.
“It takes my breath away.”
“…an investment in the community that creates a place where everyone is welcome.”
“Few people love libraries the way my dear friend Peter Coyl does. He and the Sacramento Public Library team make sure everyone always feels welcome.”
Intellectual freedom
Peter’s belief in the freedom to read led him to serve on the American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee and as President of the Freedom to Read Foundation.
“Libraries have always been open places for everybody.”
“…information available for people of all walks of life from all viewpoints.”
Freedom to Read Foundation
Executive Board 2019 to 2020, Vice President 2020 to 2022, President 2022 to 2023
During his presidency:
- Little v. Llano County (2023). The Foundation filed an amicus brief in the Fifth Circuit in a case brought by Texas library patrons over books removed from county library shelves.
- Arkansas Act 372 (2023). The Foundation joined a coalition of libraries, booksellers, publishers, authors, and readers suing over a law that would have exposed librarians and booksellers to criminal prosecution. A federal court blocked key provisions in July 2023 and declared them unconstitutional in December 2024.
Hood County, Texas
2015
As GLBTRT Chair, Peter co-authored a letter with the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom defending the Hood County Library against a challenge to LGBT children's books. He spoke at the hearing and was interviewed by media outlets on the issues. The Texas Tribune and ProPublica later described it as a forerunner of the national book-banning fight.
Committee service
- ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee, 2017 to 2019 and 2020 to 2023.
- California Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee, 2023 to 2026.
- New Jersey Library Association Intellectual Freedom Subcommittee, Chair 2021 to 2022.
- Texas Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee, 2016 to 2017.
Advocacy
Peter fights for the First Amendment has taken him to speak at public meetings and the Capitol. His efforts to preserve our rights and our funding continue. With the efforts to remove eRate, defund other Broadband Access programs, and eliminate the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the need to speak out to elected officials and partners is more important than ever.
“…a lifeline to many libraries across the country.”
Peter has also been interviewed and presented on a variety of topics about public libraries across the country and internationally.
In the media
NPR/KERA (2015), Huffington Post (2017), Newsweek (2019), Texas Tribune and ProPublica (2022), CalMatters (2024), CapRadio (2024), Spectrum News (2026), Sacramento Bee (2026), Forbes, Library Journal, American Libraries, and Sactown Magazine.
Recent coverage: “Elk Grove’s new library opens with more space, new tech. Here’s a look inside,” Camryn Dadey, Sacramento Bee.
Selected presentations
- "In the Driver's Seat: Proactively Protecting Your Library and Staff in Challenging Times," Public Library Association Conference, April 2024
- "Everything Old Is New Again," Rendez-vous des bibliothèques publiques du Québec, May 2023
- "Prepare Your Library For Today's Censorship Battles." Public Library Association Conference, March 24, 2022
- “Can I Wear or Say That? Free Speech in the Workplace.” ALA Annual, June 25, 2021.
Publications
- "Forgetting Our History," in Field Report 2022: Banned and Challenged Books, ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
- "The Librarian Identity Crisis," American Libraries, May 2018
- Contributor, Future Scenarios: Library Space & Design, Urban Libraries Council, September 2026
Service and recognition
Service
- ALA Executive Board, 2024 to 2027
- Freedom to Read Foundation: Executive Board 2019 to 2020, Vice President 2020 to 2022, President 2022 to 2023
- ALA GLBTRT: Chair-Elect 2014 to 2015, Chair 2015 to 2016, Past-Chair 2016 to 2017
- PLA Task Force on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, 2019 to 2021
Personal recognition
- Growing Together Award, Newton Booth Neighborhoods Association, 2023
- Drexel University 40 Under 40, 2016