American Library Association launches national search for executive director

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has reopened its search for an executive director in partnership with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. The search will be led by a steering committee comprising ALA member leaders.

The selected candidate will succeed Interim Executive Director Leslie Burger, who was appointed in November 2023. ALA’s Executive Board chose to relaunch its search for the position.

“We are excited to embark on our search for a new executive director,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl. “This leadership position is critical as we navigate the years ahead. We seek candidates who have knowledge of the library community and the urgent issues we face. We also will look for people who are expertly qualified to lead our strategic agenda as we head into our 150th anniversary in 2026, which will celebrate libraries and library workers, and their important place in communities throughout the country.”

The association will hire as soon as the right candidate emerges. Learn more here.

Members of the search committee:

• Chair Emily Drabinski, Associate Professor, Queens College, CUNY
• Sophia Sotilleo, Dean, Thurgood Marshall Library, Bowie State University
• Evviva Weinraub Lajoie, Vice Provost, University at Buffalo
• Paula Brehm-Heeger, Executive Director, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
• Maggie Farrell, Dean of Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Ramiro Salazar, Retired, Former Director, San Antonio Public Library
• Steven Yates, Associate Dean/Associate Professor, University of Alabama SLIS
• Staff Liaison: Lorelle Hopkins, ALA Associate Executive Director, Human Resources

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.