Dr. Maria McCauley

she/her/hers
Director of Libraries, City of Cambridge and President, Public Library Association

Maria McCauley is Director of Libraries for the City of Cambridge where she oversees administration, finance, facilities and operations across seven libraries. She leads a team of 150 talented staff members and works closely with three boards and across the City to achieve an inclusive, ambitious vision of library services for all. Under her leadership, the Cambridge Public Library has increased its budget from $9M to $17M, expanded its branch hours by 65 hours per week, opened the award-winning Valente Branch library, launched a STEAM at the Library program including the first free public $1.8M maker space in Cambridge, gone fine free, led a kindergarten card campaign which resulted in an opt-out instead of opt-in process, resulting in approximately 95% of 5 year old’s having library cards, started a social work program, and prioritized the library’s antiracism, equity and inclusion efforts. She serves on the City of Cambridge’s Family Policy Council and Birth-to-Third Grade initiative. 

Maria began her library career 23 years ago at the Cambridge Public Library in Circulation and Reference Services. Before returning to Cambridge, she served as the Director of Libraries in Santa Monica, Director of Libraries for the City of Somerville, and held several library positions at Northeastern University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a PhD from Simmons. She is President of the Public Library Association, a major division of the American Library Association (ALA). She served on the American Library Association’s Executive Board and is on the Board of Advisors of Beacon Press. 

Maria has two super great kids, Micah Woo and Grace Mihi and super-scientist spouse, Micah John, and resides in Somerville with cats, toys and books. 

MLA Business Session