For immediate release | May 27, 2026
ALA Statement on Staff Unionization Voting Results
CHICAGO — Following the results of today’s vote to unionize American Library Association (ALA) employees, ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery issued the following statement:
“We certainly respect the outcome of today’s vote and congratulate our ALA employees on their successful effort to organize. This is a pivotal moment for the Association and a valuable opportunity to build meaningful collaboration around workplace matters that impact our staff and our members.
ALA has long believed in the importance of giving people a voice in the institutions and communities they help shape, and that principle extends to our workplace. That belief has shaped my professional life, as well. I look forward to engaging thoughtfully, constructively, and in good faith as we begin the next phase of this process together.
I know firsthand that organizing efforts reflect a deep investment in the future of a workplace, and I want to recognize the passion, care, and thoughtfulness that employees brought to these conversations.
Moving forward, I believe our shared focus will remain on advancing ALA’s mission, serving our members, and fostering a workplace culture grounded in collaboration, mutual respect, and people-centered values. Together, we will continue working to ensure the Association is well-positioned to live up to our mission: to support libraries, library workers, and the communities they serve for years to come.”
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
