Library professional · Systems · Leadership

Edward M. Veal

The future is now — blink and it becomes the past.

An enthusiastic library professional with 30 years of experience, specializing in expanding the use of new and traditional technologies to best serve library users.

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Portrait of Edward M. Veal
30+years serving libraries
3library types: public, academic & special
20years as ILS systems administrator
OSSactive Koha community contributor

About me

Bio & resume

I have spent the last 30 years serving libraries — public, academic, and special — in technical, non-technical, and leadership roles.

Having worked in positions ranging from circulation, reference, systems administration, staff training, IT support, and management, I have experience with many, if not all, aspects of the library. That breadth lets me see issues from a variety of viewpoints.

On and off throughout my library career I have also worked in retail. It has given me a unique perspective on libraries and a chance to hone my sales skills.

I currently serve as Library Services Manager for Systems at the McKinney Public Library, leading library systems and technology strategy across Koha, Aspen Discovery, analytics, public computing, and integrations. Before returning to McKinney, I helped build and launch a new public library service as Library Services Manager at the Anna Community Library.

Experience

Career path

From the circulation desk to systems administration, education, digitization, and branch leadership.

  1. 2026 — Present
    McKinney Public Library

    Library Services Manager for Systems Current

    Leads library systems and technology strategy, including Koha, Aspen Discovery, analytics, public computing, integrations, and systems support.

  2. 2024 — 2026
    Anna Community Library

    Library Services Manager

    Helped build and launch a new public library service, including operations, technology, staffing, and extended-access services.

  3. 2017 — 2024
    McKinney Public Library

    Librarian Supervisor (Systems Librarian) → Branch Manager, Roy and Helen Hall Library

    Drawn back to library systems and the open source community, managing core library systems. Later led the Roy and Helen Hall Library and the emerging Systems Team, served on the Library Leadership Team, and facilitated teams for the library and other City of McKinney departments.

  4. Houston Area Library Network

    Manager of Digitization Projects

    Managed digitization projects for the regional library network.

  5. 2011 — 2016
    ByWater Solutions

    Lead Educator

    Trained and supported libraries using Koha, helping staff translate open source software into practical day-to-day workflows.

  6. Texas Tech University Libraries

    Staff IT Support Desk Supervisor

    Supervised the staff IT support desk for the university libraries.

  7. Lubbock Public Library

    Systems Administrator & IT Manager

    Started in the circulation department, then spent 10 years as SirsiDynix Unicorn (Symphony) systems administrator and Information Technology Manager.

Integrated library systems Koha Aspen Discovery Analytics SirsiDynix Symphony Systems administration Staff training IT support Digitization Team facilitation Library leadership Circulation & reference

Projects

What I'm working on

Laptop and book

Open source

Library projects

I have contributed to the Koha open source ILS project and am an active member of its community.

Family history imagery

Genealogy

Family history

Genealogy goes beyond curiosity about ancestors. It's a journey into the narrative of a family, offering insight into the cultural, social, and historical contexts that have shaped our lives.

Fantasy map artwork

Tabletop

RPG projects

A realm of imagination where the roll of the dice shapes destinies. Ride into the rugged, untamed Lot Lands, inspired by Jonathan French's novel The Grey Bastards.

Or step into the shadowy corners of 1930s Hollywood — jazz, whiskey, and a gritty noir mystery as deep and complex as the era itself.

Contact

Let's connect.

Whether it's library systems, open source, family history, or a good story at the table, I'd be glad to hear from you.

edward.m.veal@gmail.com linkedin.com/in/edveal