Juli Wald – Meet Middlebury Public Library Director Juli Wald, whose adventurous path to librarianship reflects a deep dedication to inclusive service and community connection in small-town Indiana.
Juli Wald has served as Director of the Middlebury Public Library in Middlebury, Indiana, since March 2021. Librarianship is her second career—one she discovered after a bold chapter as a competitive endurance motorcyclist. Her journey began as a part-time library clerk in Jacksonville, Florida, where a supportive branch manager encouraged her to pursue library school.
After earning her degree, Juli gained experience in academic and public libraries across Wyoming, Florida, and Colorado. When a directorship opened in Middlebury—close to friends and aligned with her passion for rural libraries—she jumped at the opportunity.
Juli loves the small-town atmosphere and sees her library as a hub for unique resources and connection. “It’s about offering entertainment and information people can’t find anywhere else in town,” she shared. One long-standing program, Let’s Talk About It, blends themed book discussions with guest presenters from nearby institutions like the University of Notre Dame—an offering Juli takes pride in facilitating.
In her two years as director, Juli has overseen significant improvements: she weeded 30,000 outdated items from the collection, streamlined shelving, and added more inviting seating—leading to increased patron use and positive feedback.
But it hasn’t been without challenges. Early in her tenure, a Pride banner on the library website sparked controversy, drawing large crowds to board meetings and calls to label or separate LGBTQIA+ materials. Juli stood firm in her values, refusing to exclude or segregate any materials. Though tensions were high—including needing a police escort—she’s since helped foster better communication between the public and the board.
Juli values serving a diverse community, including a large Amish population and active homeschoolers. Through it all, she remains committed to building bridges—and is grateful for the support of ARSL, which she says speaks directly to the needs of small and rural library directors.
Originally conducted by Judy Pruitt, ARSL Membership Committee (2023).
Adapted for the ARSL Spotlight format in 2025 by ARSL Office.
