Margaret Sullivan is a national thought leader in assisting public libraries envision and implement impactful and meaningful experiences for their communities and the individuals they serve.

She leads Margaret Sullivan Studio, a full-service strategy and design firm that connects innovators, futurists, and relevant ideas to librarians and community leaders to introduce a community-driven, human-centered, activities-based approach to public library planning and design. With a focus on learning outcomes, Margaret specializes in designing intentionally adaptable placemaking strategies that create flexible conditions for facilities to respond in real time to community needs. MSS designs the physical conditions and user experiences for vibrant community gathering, equitable life-long learning for all styles of learners, and inclusive economic development through drawing from research to best practices models.

Since 2014, the Studio has implemented place-making techniques to achieve strategic and master facilities goals and activate over six million square feet of public library spaces through renovations, additions, and new buildings, fostering conditions for communities to flourish nationwide. Margaret Sullivan Studio has assisted over sixty public library systems, including New York Public Library, DC Public Library, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Boston Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Richland Library, New Haven Free Public Library, Salt Lake City Public Library, Omaha Public Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library, and Kansas City Public Library define their version of what a 21st-century library can be.