American Library Association launches national search for executive director 

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) announces that it has opened its search for an executive director in partnership with Isaacson, Miller, corporate executive search firm. The search will be led by a steering committee comprising ALA member leaders and association staff. The selected candidate will succeed Interim Executive Director Leslie Burger, who was appointed in November 2023.  

“We are excited to partner with Isaacson, Miller again as we embark on our search for a new executive director. We seek candidates who embody the qualities we look for in such an important position:  knowledge of our community and the urgent issues we face, a commitment to libraries and to the association, and enthusiasm for facilitating the strategic agenda of our members,” said ALA President Emily Drabinski. “The timing couldn’t be better as we gear up for our 150th anniversary in 2026 and celebrate libraries and their place in a healthy democracy.” 

The association will look to hire as soon as the right candidate emerges. For inquiries, you will find  more information here. 

Since 1982, Isaacson, Miller has recruited for the leadership of the nation's civic infrastructure. The firm leads nearly 300 searches each year, many for not-for-profit organizations in need of candidates who meet demands of both mission and market.  

Members of the search committee: Chair Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, California; Becky Calzada, Leander Independent School District, Texas; Sara Dallas, Southern Adirondack Library System, New York; April Dawkins, University of North Caroline at Greensboro; Ed Garcia, Cranston Public Library, Rhode Island; Aliqae Geraci, Wayne State University, Michigan; Evviva Weinraub Lajoie, University at Buffalo, New York; Maria McCauley, Cambridge Public Library, Massachusetts; Mark Robison, University of Notre Dame, Indiana; Deb Sica, Alameda County Library, California; Felton Thomas, Cleveland Public Library; Veronda Pitchford, Califa Group, California; Nancy Kranich, Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, New Jersey; ALA Staff Rep., George Kendall, interim director, ALA Publishing and Media, Chicago; ALA Staff Rep., Marsha Burgess, council secretariat, ALA Governance, Chicago; Staff Liaison, Adriane Alicea, talent acquisition manager, Human Resources, Chicago; Staff Liaison, Lorelle Swader, Associate Executive Director, Human Resources, Chicago.  

About the American Library Association 
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org. 

About Isaacson, Miller 
Isaacson, Miller is an executive search firm specializing in recruiting transformative leadership for mission-driven organizations. An employee-owned firm founded with the fundamental belief that diversity strengthens our society and the organizations that function within it, we have offices in Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For more information on Isaacson, Miller, visit http://www.imsearch.com.