Q&A with Jessica MacPhail MALS '76, Racine Public Library Executive Director

December 25, 2018 



Jessica MacPhail MALS ’76, Racine Public Library executive director, came to the library in 1999 and currently oversees a staff of 60 people. She recently sat down with the Journal Times for a Q&A. 



Jessica graduated with a master's degree in library science in 1976 and worked in Illinois, North Carolina and Ohio before coming to Racine, Wisconsin for this position.



"One of the most fun and fascinating things I've done as a librarian was serving on the Dewey Decimal Editorial Board for six years; librarians from all over the world consult experts in their fields to make sure the Dewey Decimal system is up to date, assigning new numbers to new geopolitical boundaries, historical periods, transitioning governmental leaders (there's a number ready for Prince Charles if he ever ascends to the throne), and new technologies (driverless cars), as well as keeping the entire system current."



To read the full interview, click here.