Iris Weinshall, a former transportation commissioner and university vice chancellor, has been named the chief operating officer of the New York Public Library, the library is to announce Thursday.
Ms. Weinshall, who will start on Sept. 1, served as commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2000 to 2007. Since 2007, she has served as vice chancellor of facilities planning, management and construction for the City University of New York.
The chief operating officer, an important member of the senior management team, oversees the library’s operational departments — including finance and investment, human resources, capital planning and construction and government relations. This includes the library’s expense and capital budgets, its $1 billion endowment and construction projects across the system’s three boroughs. The position was previously held by David G. Offensend.
Ms. Weinshall will help shepherd the library’s planned renovation of its 42d Street flagship and Mid-Manhattan branch.
Ms. Weinshall also served as first deputy commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and deputy commissioner of Management and Budget for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
Ms. Weinshall is married to Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York.