JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 15, 2018 — Jacksonville Public Library Director Tim Rogers announces the appointment and promotion of Julie McNeil as Deputy Director for Public Services, Gretchen Mitchell as Deputy Director for Support Services, and the appointment and hire of Chuck McNeil as Assistant Director for Financial Services (no relation to Julie McNeil).
With more than 20 years of service at Jacksonville Public Library, Julie McNeil has proven herself as an experienced, capable leader, and someone who can help move the library forward into the future. “Julie is well respected by the staff, members of the Board of Library Trustees, and the public,” Rogers said. “Her heartfelt inclusive management style will help her support the library’s goal of growing deeper connections with our customers while building a team focused on delivering high-value services to patrons.”
Julie McNeil has been on staff at Jacksonville Public Library since 1995 when she was hired as a children’s librarian at the Mandarin Branch Library. She most recently held the position of Assistant Director for Public Services at the Jacksonville Public Library for the past six years.
In addition to her work at the library, Julie McNeil serves on the board of Changing Homelessness. She was in the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2015, and was a member of the JAX2025 Diversity & Inclusions Task Force. Julie McNeil holds a Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing from the University of Florida and a Master of Library and Information Science from Florida State University. Her appointment as Deputy Director for Public Services was effective April 14, 2018.
Gretchen Mitchell has been promoted to Deputy Director for Support Services, effective May 12, 2018, after serving as Assistant Director for Support Services and Technology for the past nine years.
Mitchell has been on staff at the Jacksonville Public Library since 1990 when she joined the system as a librarian at the Webb Wesconnett Regional Library. Mitchell is also an active member of the Florida Library Association, the Public Library Association, and the American Library Association. She is an alumna of the Sunshine State Leadership Institute and served as a mentor for the program five times since 2005. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rollins College and a Master of Library and Information Science from Florida State University.
Chuck McNeil joined the Jacksonville Public Library as the Assistant Director for Financial Services, effective April 21, 2018.
As the Finance Manager for the City of Jacksonville’s Neighborhoods Department for the past three years, Chuck McNeil was responsible for preparing, forecasting, and monitoring a $23.6M departmental general and trust fund operating budget. Prior to his service with the Neighborhoods Department, he served as a Business Analyst for Jacksonville’s Small Business Office in the Intra-Government Affairs Department.
Chuck McNeil holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Park University in Parkville, Missouri. He also graduated from the City of San Antonio, Texas Leadership Development Program, and is a U.S. Air Force veteran.
About the Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.4 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 5.1 million times, and over 14,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.
