Peter Coyl
Librarian and Intellectual Freedom Advocate
Peter Coyl leads California's fourth-largest public library system, the Sacramento Public Library. He is a member of the ALA Executive Board and a past president of the Freedom to Read Foundation. His more than two-decade career spans two countries and five states. He is passionate about the mission of public libraries and defending the right of individual readers to choose what they want to read.
“I believe the library is the great equalizer. Anyone can come into the library and find what they’re looking for.”
Peter holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science (with a concentration in Youth Services) from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Public Policy from Oakland University. He has also studied abroad in Beijing and Taipei.
Leadership
Since January 2022, Peter has been Library Director and CEO of the Sacramento Public Library Authority, a Joint Powers Agency serving the 1.5 million residents of Sacramento County and the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento. Its 28 libraries serve one of the nation’s most diverse populations throughout the over 950 square miles of urban, suburban, and rural service area. It is the 18th largest public library in the nation by population served. The Authority’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget is $69.9 million, with 343.5 full-time-equivalent staff positions.
Under his leadership:
- Digital checkouts have passed 5 million, and in-person visits reached 2.34 million fiscal year to date as of June 2026, continuing a multi-year rise in both.
- The systemwide rebrand and website relaunch in November 2025 earned an EPIC Award from the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), a Bronze Award from the Drum Awards, Third Place for Branding Identities in the PRINT Awards, and the Sacramento Public Library was named 2026 Marketer of the Year by Library Journal.
- In 2026 the Urban Libraries Council selected the Authority for its Journalists in the Library initiative, one of eight libraries nationally and one of two in California, in partnership with PBS KVIE.
- In August 2022 the Authority and SacRT launched the Sacramento Rolling Library, a light rail train styled as a library where riders scan QR codes for free downloads.
- The Urban Libraries Council gave the Authority's Sexual Health Resource Cabinets pilot with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, at 12 branches, an Innovations Initiative Honorable Mention.
- The Authority issued limited edition library cards with the Sacramento Kings in 2023 and Sacramento Republic FC in 2026.
- Oversaw Authority involvement in 14 capital projects valued at over $34.5 million.
“Few people love libraries the way my dear friend Peter Coyl does. He and the Sacramento Public Library team make sure everyone always feels welcome.”
Earlier leadership
Montclair Public Library, New Jersey
Library Director, 2017 to 2021
Led one of New Jersey's busiest library systems. Launched an electric Tuk-Tuk mobile library, led the library's 125th anniversary, and restored its 1752 Azariah Crane land deed. Kept services running through the COVID-19 pandemic under significant funding constraints.
Dallas Public Library
Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager, and District Manager, 2011 to 2017
While Manager of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library (a 646,000-square-foot building with eight public floors), the seventh floor underwent a $6 million renovation adding exhibit space, meeting rooms, and improved storage and climate control for the Dallas History and Archives collections.
Other positions
Bookmobile Driver, International School Librarian, Library Advisory Commission Member, and Chief of Staff at a State Legislature.
“Libraries have always been open places for everybody.”
“There’s a thought that libraries are all about books. That’s our bread and butter and mission. But we also do so much more than that.”
Intellectual Freedom
Peter’s belief in the freedom to read led him to serve on the American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee and as President of the Freedom to Read Foundation. As ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Councilor, he introduced the “Resolution Reaffirming ALA’s Commitment to Intellectual Freedom and Issuing a Call to Action,” which ALA Council passed unanimously at the 2024 ALA Annual Conference in San Diego.
Freedom to Read Foundation
Executive Board 2019 to 2020, Vice President 2020 to 2022, President 2022 to 2023
During his presidency:
- Little v. Llano County (2023). The Foundation filed an amicus brief in the Fifth Circuit in a case brought by Texas library patrons over books removed from county library shelves.
- Arkansas Act 372 (2023). The Foundation joined a coalition of libraries, booksellers, publishers, authors, and readers suing over a law that would have exposed librarians and booksellers to criminal prosecution. A federal court blocked key provisions in July 2023 and declared them unconstitutional in December 2024.
Hood County, Texas
2015
As Chair of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT), Peter co-authored a letter with the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom defending the Hood County Library against a challenge to LGBT children's books. He spoke at the hearing and was interviewed by media outlets on the issues. The Texas Tribune and ProPublica later described it as a forerunner of the national book-banning fight.
“…every person in this country has a right to find [any] information in their local library.”
Advocacy
Peter’s defense of the First Amendment has taken him to public meetings and the Capitol. His work to preserve intellectual freedom and library funding continues. With efforts to remove E-Rate, defund other broadband access programs, and eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), speaking out to elected officials and partners is more important than ever.
Peter has worked to make library spaces safe and welcoming for every patron. He has championed gender-neutral restrooms at conferences and in libraries, and from 2019 to 2021 he served on the Public Library Association Task Force on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice. He also understands the concerns of library workers and supported the adoption of the Librarians’ and Library Workers’ Bill of Rights during the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.
“Everyone needs to be seen and represented in the library.”
“…a lifeline to many libraries across the country.”
Peter has also been interviewed on a variety of topics about public libraries across the country in the media including C-SPAN, NPR, Huffington Post, Newsweek, Forbes, ProPublica, the Los Angeles Times, Library Journal, American Libraries, among others.
In the media
“Libraries staying relevant in a digital world for Sacramento and beyond,” Stephanie Olvido, Sacramento News & Review, August 28, 2024.
“How a proposed California law could end book bans in public libraries,” Gerardo Zavala, Capital Public Radio, September 5, 2024.
“Sacramento voters to decide on future of public library funding with Measure E,” Lee Anne Denyer, KCRA 3, October 24, 2024.
Building Sacramento's libraries
Working with the member jurisdictions, the Authority is renovating nearly half its facilities thanks to the Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program through the California State Library. The more than $34.5 million in capital projects have included ADA enhancements, HVAC replacements, the full renovation of an existing facility, and the full renovation (adaptive reuse) of two existing buildings into replacement facilities. Four library building renovation projects will complete within a twelve month period ending in early 2027.
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March 2026
Colonial Heights Library
A July 2024 fire closed the library. Peter directed its recovery and a renovation of more than $1 million. It partially reopened in December 2025 and resumed full operations in March 2026.
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August 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Library
Reopened after a renovation led by City of Sacramento Public Works, with study rooms, a makerspace, and a larger community room. The project was named 2026 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Sacramento Chapter.
Sacramento Bee: “Meadowview branch of Sacramento library reopening after $8.3M renovation”
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October 2026
Elk Grove Library
An 18,147-square-foot library in a former Rite Aid building. The building renovation led by the City of Elk Grove Public Works provided the system’s first book locker, a makerspace, and a library of things. This project was recognized as a SMUD Carbon Free Champion by the Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC).
Sacramento Bee: “Elk Grove’s new library opens with more space, new tech. Here’s a look inside”
Sacramento News & Review: “Elk Grove opens new library with makerspace and more room”
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2027
North Sacramento-Hagginwood Library
This $15 million adaptive-reuse renovation will replace a 4,000-square-foot storefront with a new modern library 3 times the size of the current space. It will open in early 2027.
“Libraries can learn from retail without becoming retail.”
Urban Libraries Council, September 2026
Presentations
Peter has presented at national library conferences and various state conferences, webinars, and talks at universities and community events across the United States and Canada. He has spoken on intellectual freedom, censorship and book banning, and First Amendment issues, including free speech in the workplace, as well as other topics.
Selected presentations
- “Everything Old is New Again: The déjà vu of Censorship and Intellectual Freedom in the 21st Century,” Meeting of Public Libraries in Quebec [Rendez-vous des bibliothèques publiques du Québec], May 12, 2023
- “Prepare Your Library For Today’s Censorship Battles.” Public Library Association Conference, March 24, 2022
- “Can I Wear or Say That? Free Speech in the Workplace.” American Library Association Annual Conference, June 25, 2021.
- “Intellectual Freedom, Hate Speech, the First Amendment, and You.” American Library Association Annual Conference, June 24, 2020.
“The right to read freely is an American right.”
Service and recognition
Professional service
American Library Association (ALA)
- Executive Board, 2024 to 2027
- Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Councilor, 2021 to 2024
- Intellectual Freedom Committee, 2017 to 2019 and 2020 to 2023
- Core Values Task Force, 2022 to 2024
- President’s Advisory Committee, Member 2023 to 2025
- Public Library Association (PLA) Task Force on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, 2019 to 2021
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT): Chair-Elect 2014 to 2015, Chair 2015 to 2016, Past-Chair 2016 to 2017
- Stonewall Book Awards Committee: Member 2012 to 2014, Chair 2013 to 2014
Freedom to Read Foundation
- Executive Board 2019 to 2020, Vice President 2020 to 2022, President 2022 to 2023
State library associations
- California Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee, 2023 to 2026
- New Jersey Library Association Intellectual Freedom Subcommittee, Chair 2021 to 2022
- Texas Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee, 2016 to 2017
Personal recognition
- Growing Together Award, Newton Booth Neighborhoods Association, 2023
- Drexel University 40 Under 40, 2016
Community Service
Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA)
- Community Action Board Member, 2022 to present
Rotary Club of Sacramento
- Member, 2023 to present
- Executive Board, 2025 to 2027
Rotary Club of Montclair
- Member, 2017 to 2021