Bradford Ney Steps into Director Role at Mayville Public Library

The Ted and Grace Bachhuber Memorial Library in Mayville welcomed a new director, Bradford Ney, this month.
“A Wisconsin native, Bradford holds degrees in Business Administration and Library & Information Science from UW–Milwaukee,” the library stated. “He brings over 14 years of experience from the West Bend Public Library and a strong background in technology.”
After 14 years in West Bend, Ney was ready to expand his horizons and advance his career. The position opened up in Mayville at the right time, and Ney was not unfamiliar with the area as he has family around here.
Having been in the director role for only about a week at the time of the conversation, Ney described himself as “a sponge,” taking in everything he can about the library, the staff, the community, and the building itself.
Referencing the saying “listen twice as much as you talk,” Ney said he feels he is listening “ten times as much” as he speaks during this early stage. His goal, he emphasized, is simple: He just wants to learn.

He reported that the budget recently, he is developing a positive rapport with city officials, and he is enjoying getting to know the staff. He also acknowledged and praised the team for keeping the library running during the period without a director.
Ney understands there has been quite a bit of turnover in recent years and plans to stay in this role long term.
Transitioning from the larger West Bend Public Library to a smaller community library comes with its own set of adjustments, Ney said. But the change is welcome.
“Mayville has a cozier feel,” he shared, expressing appreciation for the tight-knit environment and the community connections that smaller libraries naturally foster.
Despite its size, the Mayville Public Library boasts an impressive range of resources. The library currently offers:
• Around 40,000 items in its collection
• Digital services including Libby and Hoopla
• Access to language learning tools
• Access to Universal Class, a learning platform that offers access to over 600 online courses
The library circulates approximately 3,700 items per month, and Ney says Mayville is on track to potentially break last year’s circulation record.
As Ney settles into his new role, he brings both humility and ambition—listening carefully to understand the library’s culture while preparing to guide it with stability and forward momentum. With deep ties to Wisconsin, strong experience in public librarianship, and a genuine desire to serve, he is poised to help the Mayville Public Library continue growing as a resource, a gathering space, and a community cornerstone.