A conversation with Greg Mickells, retiring director of Madison Public Library

Madison BookBeat

For more than a decade, Greg Mickells led the Madison Public Library. He's responsible for a significant transformation of the Madison library system.

His tenure as Director took him to three continents, and to the White House in 2016, when Madison Public Library was recognized with a National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Additional awards received under Mickells' leadership include a Wisconsin Innovation Award for "The Bubbler" program, and as a Top Innovator by the Urban Libraries Council in the Race and Social Equity category.

Under his hand, the Library has transformed significantly over the last decade. Three libraries - Central, Meadowridge, and Pinney - have been expanded and renovated. The Library's taken over the Wisconsin Book Festival, launched The Bubbler program, launched the Dream Bus, and navigated safe library service during the pandemic. Dozens of community-based partnerships have been established under his leadership.

As of February 2, Mickells is retired from his post as Director of the Madison Library System, after eleven years at the helm. He was feted earlier this month with a retirement party, where foundation Executive Director Conor Moran, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Madison Public Library Board President Alyssa Kenney, staff, community partners, and friends praised Greg for his kindness, care for his staff, and vision for making Madison Public Library a national and even international leader in the library world.

WORT host David Ahrens - who got the chance to work with Mickells as a former Madison alder - sat down with Mickells shortly before his retirement for this exit interview.