Enoch Pratt Free Library announces new president, CEO

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Following a nationwide search, the board of directors of the Enoch Pratt Free Library Monday announced the appointment of Chad Helton as its new president and CEO.

With more than 15 years of experience in both public and academic libraries, Helton is set to lead the Pratt Library into a new era of innovation, community engagement, and expanded services for Baltimore.

Most recently, Helton provided strategic guidance as a library consultant. Prior to that, he served as Director of Hennepin County Library in Minnesota, where he managed 41 branches, successfully led the system through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw an annual operating budget of $65 million.

Helton’s leadership ensured continuity of services, supported key infrastructure projects, and addressed budgetary needs. He has also held a key leadership role as the Director of Branch Library Services at the Los Angeles Public Library, where he directed more than 70 branches and implemented and oversaw the departmental budget of over $114 million. Additionally, he has held roles with the Contra Costa County Library as Deputy County Librarian and the City of Palo Alto Library as Library Services Manager.

His academic library experience includes roles at Stanford University, University of California-Davis, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Helton holds a Master of Science in library and information studies from Florida State University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts in African-American studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also pursuing a Doctor of Education from Vanderbilt University.

Over the course of his career, Helton has been an active member of the American Library Association, the Public Library Association, and the Urban Libraries Council, and he is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.

The Enoch Pratt Free Library is Baltimore’s public library system and the Maryland State Library Resource Center. Founded in 1882 by philanthropist Enoch Pratt, the library consists of the Central Library, 21 branches, bookmobiles, the Mobile Job Center and technology training centers. In 2023, the Pratt Library reached a 13-year high in circulation and saw record numbers of active cardholders, continuing its mission to serve Baltimore’s diverse communities.