California State Library Senior Staff

Greg Lucas was appointed California’s 25th State Librarian by Governor Jerry Brown on March 25, 2014.

Prior to his appointment, Greg was the Capitol Bureau Chief for the San Francisco Chronicle where he covered politics and policy at the State Capitol for nearly 20 years.

During Greg’s tenure as State Librarian, the State Library’s priorities have been to improve reading skills throughout the state, put library cards into the hands of every school kid and provide all Californians the information they need – no matter what community they live in.

The State Library invests $10 million annually in local libraries to help them develop more innovative and efficient ways to serve their communities.

Since 2015, the State Library has improved access for millions of Californians by helping connect more than 1,000 of the state’s 1,130 libraries to a high-speed Internet network that links universities, colleges, schools, and libraries around the world.

Greg holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science from California State University San Jose, a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California, and a degree in communications from Stanford University.

Rebecca Wendt was appointed Deputy State Librarian on September 16, 2019.

She joined the California State Library in October 2016 as the State Library Services Bureau Chief. Prior to her arrival at the Library, Rebecca was Deputy State Archivist at the California State Archives, where she had worked since 2001. Previously, she was a Manuscripts and Photographs Curator at UC Davis in the Special Collections Department of the University Library. She also worked for the Yolo County Library System, including the Turner Branch in West Sacramento and the Yolo County Archives. She even spent one summer managing and driving the Yolo County Bookmobile.

As Deputy State Librarian, Rebecca oversees the “program and operations sides” of the California State Library, which include the State Library Services and Library Development Services bureaus. State Library Services is made up of the Braille and Talking Book Library, the California History Section, Information Services, the Government Publications Section, the Witkin State Law Library, and the Sutro Library (in San Francisco). The bureau is also responsible for the acquisition, cataloging, maintenance, and preservation of the State Library’s collections. Library Development Services administers state and federal grant programs for California’s libraries, works to enhance library collaboration and resource-sharing, and provides consulting services to public libraries and associated groups and organizations. These activities help libraries support existing programs, develop innovative new programs, extend and enhance library services across the state, and achieve the greatest benefit from funding sources.

Rebecca earned a Master of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University.

Scott Taylor started his role as General Counsel of the Office of Legal Services for the California State Library in September 2020. Over his 17-year career as an attorney and senior counsel, Scott has advised clients and provided legal services in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining the State Library he worked at the California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General and previously served as Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary for Governor Schwarzenegger’s Office.

As General Counsel Scott provides and manages all legal services, advice, and representation for the California State Library and California Library Services Board. He collaborates with the different Library bureaus to deliver creative solutions or develop novel ideas pertaining to the various programs, policies, and planning which includes digital platforms, collection and copyright issues, and state and federal grant programs. Scott is the legal advisor to senior staff and management in providing responsive leadership and direction to help the Library successfully carry out its mission. He provides legal opinions or responses to substantive legal issues, policies, legislation, and transactional documents.

Scott earned his Juris Doctorate from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Communication from California State University, Sacramento.

Natalie Cole was appointed Library Development Services Bureau Chief in November 2020. Natalie joined the State Library in May 2016 and has served as Library Programs Consultant and Assistant Bureau Chief in Library Development Services. Prior to joining the State Library, she was the interim Executive Director of the California Library Association. Natalie holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Librarianship from the University of Sheffield, U.K.

As Library Development Services Bureau Chief, Natalie oversees the administration of state and federal grant programs for California libraries. In addition to grant-making, Library Development Services works to enhance library collaboration and resource-sharing, and provides consulting services to public libraries and associated groups and organizations. These activities help libraries support existing programs, develop innovative new programs, extend and enhance library services across the state, and achieve the greatest benefit from funding sources.

Jessica “Jessie” Knox-Jensen was appointed State Library Services Bureau Chief in March 2020. Jessie initially joined the California State Library in November 2018 as the State Library Services Assistant Bureau Chief. Prior to her arrival at the Library, Jessie held various positions at the California State Archives. Jessie earned a Master of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University and a Master of Arts degree in Public History from Sacramento State University.

As the State Library Services Bureau Chief, Jessie oversees the “operations side” of the California State Library. State Library Services is made up of the Braille and Talking Book Library, the California History Section, Information Services, the Government Publications Section, the Witkin State Law Library, and the Sutro Library (in San Francisco). The bureau is also responsible for the acquisition, cataloging, maintenance, and preservation of the State Library’s collections.

Michael Martinez has been Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the California State Library since May of 2016. He started his career at the California State Library in 1996 as a student assistant in the California Research Bureau. Since that time, he has held a variety of positions in the Information Technology Bureau including being named Chief Information Officer in 2016.

His responsibility includes overseeing the efficient and effective use of information technology and telecommunications resources and solutions within the State Library. He manages the day-to-day operations of the information technology bureau including directing staff, who support administrative computing, networking, user services, telecommunications, and other information technology functions.

Michael is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Management Information Systems.

Alex Vassar began his role as Communications Manager for the California State Library in May 2017.

Prior to his arrival at the Library, Alex worked for the State of California since 2007 when he was selected as a California Senate Fellow. Since then, he worked for both houses of the California Legislature and the State Board of Equalization before joining the California State Library.

Alex manages the State Library’s Communications Office which handles media inquiries and shares news about the library through press releases and the library’s social media outlets. The office also manages the library’s public events and schedules tours of the historic Library and Courts Building.

Alex holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California.

Elizabeth “Liz” Vierra assumed the role of the State Library’s Administrative Services Bureau Chief in November 2015. She initially joined the department in October 2013 as its Personnel, Labor Relations and EEO Officer in Human Resources.

Starting her public service career in 1994, Liz has held positions at California’s Department of Consumer Affairs, Highway Patrol, Department of Justice, and Department of Health Services. She studied Accounting, Human Resources and Business Administration at Sacramento City College and California State University, Sacramento.

As the Administrative Services Bureau Chief, Liz provides policy direction, oversees delegated authorities, and guides the planning, organization, and coordination of the bureau’s work and collaboration, where the team fulfills the library’s administrative support functions including Accounting, Budgets, fiscal responsibility of State and Federal Grants, Business Services, Purchasing and Contracts, Facilities management, Emergency Preparedness, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Policy, Training, and Compliance.

Tom Negrete was named Director of the California Research Bureau in November 2021.

He joined the State Library as an assistant director at the Research Bureau in June 2016. Prior to his arrival at the Library, Tom worked as a newspaper editor, with stops as managing editor at CalMatters, director of innovation and managing editor at the Sacramento Bee, and assistant to the national editor at the New York Times. He was also a consultant to the American Press Institute, where he researched and wrote papers on how the newspaper industry could leverage its online user behavior data to drive online reader engagement and subscribers.

At the Research Bureau, Tom and his team provide nonpartisan and timely information services, research and analysis to the Legislature and Governor’s Office. The Research Bureau is also home to the California Grants Portal, the state’s one website to find all grants and loans offered on a competitive or first-come basis by more than 50 state agencies, and the California Homeless Youth Project, which is focused on bringing youth to the policy table and to informing policymakers, opinion leaders and other stakeholders about the needs of unaccompanied homeless youth.

Tom earned a masters in journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.