ALA President

American Library Association President Emily Drabinski to be honored with award from The Publishing Triangle

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to share that President Emily Drabinski will receive the Torchbearer Award from The Publishing Triangle, the association of LGBTQ+ people in publishing.

The award, now in its second year, is given to organizations or individuals who strive to awaken, encourage, and support a love of reading, or to stimulate an interest in and an appreciation of LGBTQ literature.

ALA-SLI National Climate Action Strategy Working Group will hold open forum March 14

CHICAGO — The National Climate Action Strategy Working Group, a joint project of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) and the American Library Association (ALA), is planning an open forum to introduce a draft Climate Action Strategy for Libraries to ALA members and to solicit feedback from the field. The open forum will be held on Thursday, March 14th, at 1:00 p.m. CT.

Climate action is one of ALA President Emily Drabinski’s presidential initiatives.

Run for ALA President-elect or Councilor-at-Large by petition

ALA members may run for ALA office by petition for the position of ALA President-elect or ALA Councilor at Large. Individuals who are interested in running by petition or were not selected by the ALA Nominating Committee may run for office by filing an electronic petition. The ALA Nominating Committee will begin notifying nominated candidates by the end of October 2022.

Members who are interested in running by petition may do so by completing an e-petition form:

Drabinski wins 2023-2024 ALA presidency

CHICAGO — Emily Drabinski, interim chief librarian at The Graduate Center, City University of New York has been elected 2022-2023 president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA).

Drabinski received 5,410 votes, while her opponent, Kelvin Watson, executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District received 4,622 votes.

Upon learning the outcome of the election, Drabinski provided the following statement:

Make your voice heard within ALA at the Virtual Membership Meeting, Thursday, March 17

CHICAGO – ALA members will have the opportunity to engage in real time with ALA leadership during the association’s Virtual Membership Meeting, at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, March 17.

Virtual meetings are part of ALA’s ongoing focus to connect members and provide an avenue for input on strategic direction, budget priorities, and topics of interest.

ALA elections now open – cast your vote today!

CHICAGO — American Library Association (ALA) election polls are now open! ALA members are encouraged to cast a digital ballot to vote for association-wide leadership that will shape the future and direction of the association. ALA’s annual election will close on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. 

Libraries Transforming Communities to distribute more than $7 million in grants to support small and rural library accessibility efforts, call for Grant Advisor RFPs now open

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) announced today that its Libraries Transforming Communities project will offer more than $7 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

Register now for ALA Connect Live session focusing on sustainability and climate action for libraries and communities

CHICAGO — This month's ALA Connect Live session is one you won't want to miss. It will showcase what library champions are doing to help their communities address climate change.

Register now for this important discussion, which takes place at 11 a.m. Pacific time/ 1 p.m. Central time on Thursday, Feb. 24. 

ALA names Maureen Sullivan Honorary Member

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Council elected former ALA President Maureen Sullivan to honorary membership in the association, the ALA's highest honor, during the virtual 2022 Library Learning Experience. Honorary membership is conferred in recognition of outstanding contributions of lasting importance to libraries and librarianship.

ALA names Jim Neal Honorary Member

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Council elected former ALA President and Treasurer Jim Neal  to honorary membership in the association, the ALA's highest honor, during the virtual 2022 Library Learning Experience. Honorary membership is conferred in recognition of outstanding contributions of lasting importance to libraries and librarianship.