Misty Jones is the director for the San Diego Public Library overseeing the Central Library and 35 branches. Previously, she was deputy director for the Central Division which included overseeing the move, opening and operations of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common.
A graduate of the Masters of Library and Information Science program from University of South Carolina, Jones started her library career at the Greenville County Library in South Carolina. She then worked for nine years at the Charleston County Library where she founded and chaired Libraries Out Loud, a grassroots advocacy program to help restore funding to the library system by promoting libraries to the public as well as legislators and other elected officials throughout the state. After moving to San Diego she immediately sought the opportunity to continue this and joined the California Library Association Legislative and Advocacy Committee. She served as president of CLA in 2016 and currently serves on the boards of Califa, Urban Libraries Council and The Center for Library Leadership and Management at USC.
Jones believes libraries are the great equalizer, always inclusive and never exclusive. She thrives on change and believes that the strength of libraries is in their ability to redefine themselves to fit public need. She is intent on changing perceptions and showing that libraries are a vital part of the educational and economic ecosystem and essential to the success of a community and its members. She is committed to making San Diego Public Library the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration.