New King County Library Director on the job

Gary Wasdin
King County Library Director

The King County Library System (KCLS) has a new leader. Gary A. Wasdin, became Director of Washington’s Biggest, Busiest Library System January 26.

A rare warm and sunny Monday in January set the stage for Gary Wasdin’s arrival in his new role as Director of the King County Library System.

Selected through an extensive national search, Wasdin brings substantial education and experience to KCLS. Most recently Executive Director of Omaha Public Library, with previous library leadership positions at University of Alabama, New York Public Library, The New School, and Wesleyan University, Wasdin is the third Director of KCLS since 1962.

At KCLS, he’ll be responsible for a network of 48 libraries, online and mobile services, 1,200 employees, and an annual operating budget of $110 milion. In his spare time Gary loves to travel. His favorite writers are Flannery O’Connor and David McCullough.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Wasdin completed his bachelor’s degree in theater at Augusta College (now Georgia Regents University.) He obtained dual master’s degrees in Library Science and English at Southern Connecticut State University.