About the library > Director Biography
Director Biography
Vailey Oehlke, Director of Libraries
Vailey Oehlke was appointed director of libraries for Multnomah County in the spring of 2009. She began her career at the library in 1997 as a youth librarian in the School Corps program. After six years, she joined the staff of the downtown Central Library, first as a section administrator and then as its director. She became the library system’s deputy director in 2008 and was promoted to director a year later.
A longtime resident of Northeast Portland, Vailey is pleased to be leading the library that serves the community she loves. She is intrigued by the future of public libraries in a rapidly changing world and actively engages in activities that consider and respond to such change. She is an active member of the American Library Association, the Public Library Association and the Oregon Library Association.
Vailey’s background also includes experience as a librarian with the Beaverton City Library, ITT Technical Institute and the Oregon City Public Library. She received her bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1988 and her master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois, Urbana, in 1992.