Division Director
2003 - 2015
Judith A. Ring served as the Director of the Division of Library and Information Services and State Librarian from 2003 until her retirement in 2015.
Judi Ring received her Master of Science in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She began her career at the Erie County Library System in Erie, PA at a small storefront library. Years later, she served as the Executive Director and opened a multimillion-dollar, joint-use facility which included the Main Library and the Pennsylvania Maritime Museum located on Erie’s bayfront.
Judi joined the Florida Department of State in September of 2001 as Assistant Division Director, following a tenure as Deputy Director of the Lee County Library System on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
During her time with the Division, Judi helped develop and/or expand access to free digital resources to all Florida residents through the Florida Electronic Library; the Florida Library Information Network, including Navigator; the Ask a Librarian service; Florida Memory; and FLrules.org.
She oversaw the creation of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute and a training program for new public library directors.
She represented Florida on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for Public Libraries in the U.S., the Americans for Libraries Council and the Federal E-Rate Task Force.
In 2014, Judi received the Florida Department of State’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a lifetime of commitment and dedication to the State of Florida and a lifelong love of public libraries and service to the people they benefit.
