Mary Olive Joyce
Director of Outreach & Community Engagement @Kansas City Public Library
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WORK HISTORY
Director of Outreach & Community Engagement @Kansas City Public Library
Promoted to Director in 2014, I was tasked with broadening the library’s reach within our community. Since then, KC Library Outreach has grown into a dynamic organization with over 30 staff members across multiple divisions. Our efforts have not only secured over $6.2 million in assets for the community but also enhanced services, creating lasting, positive impacts for residents across Kansas City.Program Highlights: Digital Corps-Digital Corps AmeriCorps members serve as digital guides helping individuals navigate the digital landscape, obtain digital literacy skills, and find needed government benefits and community services.(2022)Library Peer Program- Certified Peer Specialists provide support, and hope to library patrons dealing with behavioral health and substance use concerns. Peers help to reduce patron behaviors leading to barriers to service.(2022)The Street Sheet – Updated quarterly, helps those facing homelessness and other challenges find support in Kansas City. It earned the Urban Library Council Top Innovator Award for Race and Social Equity and remains a vital community resource.(2020)Bookmobile Service- Reintroduced bookmobile service to KC Library service area after a half-century hiatus.(2020)Community Resources Team- A team of social service specialists that provides individuals experiencing life-challenges an inclusive place to access the connections, supports and services they need.(2017)The Library VISTA Project - AmeriCorps VISTA members to build capacity of poverty fighting for local nonprofits. Since 2015, the Project has expanded from a single-site program with four members to an intermediary project with over 30 VISTA members a year and dozens of subsite partner agencies.(2015)Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment (RISE)- RISE is a team dedicated to connecting immigrant populations with Library services, resources, and learning opportunities.(2015)
EDUCATION
The University of Kansas
Bachelor of Science - BS
The University of Kansas- School of Social Welfare
Master of Social Work - MSW
Emporia State University - School of Library and Information Management
Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS)
SKILLS
ABOUT MARY OLIVE JOYCE
As Director of Outreach & Community Engagement for the Kansas City Public Library, I lead citywide programs that connect one of the region’s core public institutions to the communities it serves. My work spans social services, workforce and immigrant initiatives, mobile library operations, and more than a decade of national service and civic engagement leadership. I’ve secured and managed public and philanthropic grants representing a multi-million-dollar cumulative investment in community-based programs and am passionate about building partnerships that expand equitable access and turn institutional mission into measurable community impact.
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