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Multnomah County appoints Annie Lewis as library director; board unanimously approves resolution
Summary
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Annie Lewis as district librarian and library director, citing her local experience and plans to address audit recommendations; the board approved two resolutions to confirm the appointment.
Annie Lewis was unanimously approved by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 17, 2024, as the new director of Multnomah County Library. The board adopted two resolutions — one by the Library District and one by the Board of Commissioners — to appoint and consent to Lewis's role leading the library district that oversees 19 locations, roughly 600 employees and a $118 million budget.
Travis Graves, interim chief operating officer, introduced Lewis and described her library career in Oregon, including service as deputy director and interim director since June 2024. Graves said Lewis has overseen reopening efforts, capital projects and services for children and families and recommended her appointment to lead the library through a period of capital improvements.
Lewis said she was “honored and humbled” by the appointment and emphasized libraries’ roles in protecting intellectual freedom, privacy and equitable access. She highlighted recent milestones the system has reached, including the Belmont groundbreaking and the upcoming Midland opening, and pledged to implement the library’s strategic plan, work with AFSCME Local 88 and address recommendations from an audit released in December 2023.
Board members praised Lewis’s experience and commitment to staff engagement. Commissioner Myron, among others, said Lewis brings “warmth, kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness” and that the appointment would support the library expansion program. Commissioner Brown Edwards raised concerns about the process for appointing senior department directors and asked for a review of the board’s confirmation process; the board agreed to continue that conversation outside the vote.
Roll-call votes were recorded for both resolutions and the board registered unanimous Ayes (Commissioners Myron, Brown Edwards, Stegman and Chair Vega Peterson). The Library District resolution to appoint Lewis and the board’s consent resolution were both adopted during the meeting.
The board did not amend the appointment and staff said Lewis will continue work on the library strategic plan and staffing rollout as the district completes capital projects and opens new branches.
