UW-Stevens Point libraries director named 2026 Wisconsin Librarian of the Year
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STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WAOW) -- Mindy King, director of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Libraries, has been named the 2026 Wisconsin Library Association/DEMCO Librarian of the Year.
The annual award recognizes outstanding leadership and accomplishments in library service. King was selected for her exceptional leadership during a period of tremendous transformation at UW-Stevens Point.
She guided the library through the relocation of its 500,000-volume collection to a temporary off-site facility while ensuring students and faculty continued to have access to library materials, research assistance, instruction and other essential services. At the same time, she worked closely with architects and university partners on the new Gale and Paul Kirby Library & Student Resource Center, which opened in Apr. 2026.
The new 151,274-square-foot facility brings library resources together with tutoring, advising, financial aid, veterans services, disability resources and other student services, creating a central hub for learning and student support. More than 1,600 people toured the new library on opening day.
Those who supported King's nomination repeatedly highlighted her hands-on and collaborative leadership. During the massive relocation of the library collection, King recruited faculty, staff, administrators, students and UWSP athletic teams to help dismantle and reassemble shelving -- and worked alongside them herself.
"I like to say that we, including Mindy, put blood, sweat and tears into this project," wrote Melissa Bailey, a UWSP Libraries cataloging assistant. "I am very proud of what we accomplished that summer, and it would not have been possible without Mindy."
James Barrett, UWSP interim director of planning and construction, praised King's ability to keep library users at the center of a complicated construction project.
"What impressed me most was her ability to bring people together," Barrett wrote. "Mindy has a collaborative style that encourages participation and helps people focus on shared goals."
King's leadership extends well beyond the new building. She has championed open educational resources and open-access publishing, worked to improve the accessibility of digital library resources, supported undergraduate research, helped establish a campus bikeshare program and purchased multiuser e-books to make required course readings available to students at no additional cost.
Gretel Stock, dean of University College, described King as "a constant and consistent champion for the library" and praised her "calm, steady, and creative nature" as a collaborator and leader. Stock also noted King's ability to balance the needs of students, faculty, community members and other campus constituencies while remaining focused on the library's purpose.
King is also deeply committed to the broader library profession. She has served in leadership and volunteer roles with WLA, WiLS, the Universities of Wisconsin libraries and the Portage County Public Library Foundation.
King will be recognized at the Awards and Honors Banquet on Oct. 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. during the Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton.