Joan Johnson, director of the Milwaukee Public Library. She is the first Black woman to lead the system.
Formerly deputy director of public services.
Photos
Content referencing Joan Johnson
Milwaukee Program Aimed at Nurturing Infant-Parent Reading Expands
Reach Out and Read Wisconsin will partner with the Milwaukee Public Library to bring its literacy program to more sites.
Mar 7th, 2026 by Steph Conquest-Ware
Dimitrijevic’s Revised Budget Boosts Library Hours, Housing, City Wages
Finance committee chair says her amended budget 'invests in neighborhoods.'
Oct 28th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Future of Sunday Library Hours Uncertain As MPL Tries New Staffing Model
Council hints it may override mayor. Spiker again provokes a coworker.
Oct 9th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
See Inside New Martin Luther King Library
New branch library opens with celebration Saturday.
Sep 4th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Storms Close Two Milwaukee Libraries ‘Long Term’
Plus: City adding evening hours to drop-off centers.
Aug 12th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Khalif Rainey To Lead Office of African American Affairs
Plus: Mayor's new picks for lobbying leader, innovation director and labor negotiator.
May 6th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Leaders Want State To Allow Red Light Cameras
Mayor Johnson, County Executive Crowley say cameras are proven tool for addressing reckless driving.
Feb 16th, 2024 by Graham Kilmer
Mayor Johnson Signs 2% Sales Tax Into Law
"Something huge, something major, something extraordinary," says Johnson of revenue deal, averting fiscal cliff.
Jul 14th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Construction Underway On Greenest Library in Milwaukee
New Martin Luther King Library will be a community hub, and provide housing for 93 households.
May 19th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
MLK Library Closes, Construction Starts On Replacement
Old library at 3rd and Locust closing, new mixed-use facility being constructed.
May 17th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
City May Close Libraries, Cut 25% of Police and Fire Departments
Milwaukee faces $156 million fiscal cliff without state help.
Apr 25th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Library Poised To Cut Services At 5 Branches In 2023
Council debates what libraries and if service could be restored.
Oct 14th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Cavalier Johnson Delivers Public-Safety Focused “State of the City” Speech
Acting Mayor calls for three approaches to curb surge in violence.
Feb 7th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
City Completes Renaming Old World Third To Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Milwaukee fixes a 1984 "injustice" by extending King Drive through Downtown.
Jan 17th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
A New Leader for City’s Library System
Who is Joan Johnson and how will she be changing the libraries?
Dec 30th, 2020 by Ana Martinez-Ortiz
27 Years As a City Librarian
Retiring Milwaukee Public Library director Paula Kiely reflects on how system has changed.
Dec 29th, 2020 by Ana Martinez-Ortiz
Forest Home Library Is Historic. For Now
Temporary designation stops development for 28 days. Hearing on permanent designation on November 30th.
Nov 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Debuts New Ballot Drop Boxes
Approximately 150,000 people expected to vote absentee.
Sep 10th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Inside the New Good Hope Library
Years later than expected, new library is open. Was it worth the wait? Yes.
Jul 29th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Johnson Will Lead City’s Public Library System
Joan Johnson will be first Black director in the library's 142-year history.
Jul 28th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Library Director Paula Kiely Retiring
Kiely has led library since 2006, presided over great change.
Jul 6th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Inside Tippecanoe Library
Renovated library set to reopen Dec. 12th, looks drastically improved.
Oct 30th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Is the The Spot 4MKE A Success?
Creative Alliance Milwaukee has added life to 4th and Wisconsin, but dare we ask for more?
Jul 27th, 2015 by Jack Fennimore
