For immediate release | August 7, 2026

ALA UN Delegation elevates libraries at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum 2026

Seven individuals standing in front of a stage.

Members of the ALA Delegation

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) participated in the 2026 United Nations High-Level Political Forum at United Nations headquarters in New York, reinforcing the vital role of libraries in advancing sustainable development, equitable access to information, education, digital inclusion and community resilience.

ALA presented the public program Libraries as Catalysts: Driving Equitable and Innovative Action, hosted in partnership with The New York Public Library’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library. The program brought together international library leaders to explore how libraries advance the Sustainable Development Goals through equitable access to information, digital inclusion, innovation, education and community partnerships while strengthening collaboration among libraries, governments and civil society.

The delegation, led and coordinated by Loida Garcia-Febo, chair of the ALA International Relations Committee’s UN Sustainable Development Goals Subcommittee, engaged with U.N. agencies, permanent missions, civil society organizations, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions representatives and international partners to ensure libraries remain visible in global development conversations and emerging post-2030 agenda discussions.

The ALA delegation included:

Dr. Maria McCauley, ALA president
Robin Kear, incoming chair, ALA UN SDG Subcommittee
Dr. Corinthia Price, ALA Executive Board member
Dr. Anthony Chow, professor, San José State University School of Information
Loida Garcia-Febo, chair, ALA International Relations Committee UN SDG Subcommittee; ALA past president; IFLA Governing Board member

“Our libraries support our living, learning and flourishing in our communities,” said Dr. Maria McCauley, ALA president. “We are stronger when we work together and learn together, and when we bring these ideas back to our local communities, we expand what is possible for our communities and across the globe.”

A recording of the program is available: https://www.youtube.com/live/xUjjc3AWiXA

ALA will continue advocating for libraries as partners in advancing knowledge, democracy, resilience, equitable access to information and sustainable development worldwide.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. ALA’s 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.

Contact:

Communications and Media Relations Office

cmomedia@ala.org

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