State Library Victoria appoints new Chief Executive Officer

Following an extensive global search, State Library Victoria is pleased to announce the appointment of Vicki McDonald AM FALIA as the Library’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective 8 September 2026.

As CEO, Ms McDonald will be responsible for the overall leadership and delivery of State Library Victoria’s strategy.

Library Board of Victoria President Helen Silver AO said that Ms McDonald is a distinguished and highly respected senior executive with extensive leadership experience across the library sector, spanning government and tertiary education.

‘Vicki McDonald is an internationally recognised library leader who brings both deep technical expertise and extensive experience leading complex organisations to her appointment as CEO of State Library Victoria,’ she said.

‘Vicki’s depth of experience as a CEO and a librarian, and her track record for delivering innovative patron-focused library services, will be integral to shaping the next phase of State Library Victoria.

'On behalf of the Library Board of Victoria, I warmly welcome Vicki McDonald AM FALIA as State Library Victoria’s new CEO. I look forward to working with her, along with our wonderful staff and volunteers, to fulfil the Library’s vital mission – to enrich the lives of all Victorians and other visitors, providing access to knowledge, supporting research and development, and conserving our world-leading collections.’

Ms McDonald joins State Library Victoria following a 10-year tenure as the State Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the State Library of Queensland. Under her leadership, the State Library of Queensland earned international and national recognition for its strong strategic direction, innovative service delivery and patron-centric focus.

Prior to this, Ms McDonald held senior executive roles at the State Library of New South Wales, where she was responsible for internationally significant collections. A passionate library advocate, Ms McDonald was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for her significant service to librarianship in 2020.

Incoming State Library Victoria CEO Vicki McDonald AM FALIA said she is thrilled to join State Library Victoria – an iconic cultural institution with a powerful legacy of delivering impact for communities across Victoria and beyond.

‘I look forward to working with Helen Silver AO, the Library Board and all Library staff and volunteers to build on this strong foundation and shape the Library’s next chapter – expanding its reach, deepening its relevance, and strengthening its role as a vital civic and cultural institution for all Victorians,’ she said.

Vicki McDonald AM FALIA will commence the CEO position on Tuesday 8 September, taking over from Acting CEO Alistair Mytton.

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About Vicki McDonald AM FALIA

• Vicki McDonald is a respected executive leader across the library sector, spanning state and local government and tertiary education.
• Most recently Ms McDonald completed a 10-year tenure as State Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the State Library of Queensland. Under her leadership, the State Library of Queensland strengthened and expanded its reach and impact, ensuring it remains a trusted and innovative cultural institution for Queensland.
• Prior to her appointment as State Librarian and CEO of the State Library of Queensland, Ms McDonald was Executive Director, Library and Information Services at the State Library of New South Wales, managing the library’s internationally significant collections valued at $2 billion.
• Ms McDonald is an active and highly respected leader within the library and information profession. She served as President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) from 2023 to 2025, during which she successfully rebuilt member confidence through a strong focus on governance and repositioning of the association.
• She was also President of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) from 2017 to 2018.
• In 2019 Ms McDonald was awarded an ALIA Fellowship in recognition of her exceptionally high standard of proficiency in library and information science.
• In January 2020, Ms McDonald was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to librarianship and to professional associations.
• In addition to her executive leadership roles, Ms McDonald has undertaken consultancy projects and service reviews for university libraries, including Singapore Management University, University of Southern Queensland, Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology.

About State Library Victoria

State Library Victoria marks its 170th anniversary this year. As Australia’s oldest public library, and one of the first free public libraries in the world, we believe in the power of knowledge to change lives. Free to access and open to all, the Library enriches the cultural, educational, social and economic lives of all Victorians. State Library Victoria preserves and shares the stories of Victoria and the world, and is a major destination for stimulating cultural experiences, contemporary debates and community-driven collecting. We encourage learning, exploration, imagination and creativity, opening up possibilities for all Victorians. The Library is home to the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre which works to ensure that the Indigenous Community is represented, acknowledged and respected in all Library programs, services and projects.