For immediate release | September 10, 2026
ALA Nominating Committee seeks ALA President elect, ALA Executive Board, & ALA Councilor at Large candidates
CHICAGO - The Nominating Committee for the American Library Association election is seeking nominees for the positions of ALA president-elect, executive board member, and councilor-at-large on the 2027 spring ballot. The ALA thrives thanks to the energy, diversity, and commitment of its members and leaders. The Nominating Committee encourages members to consider serving the association in leadership positions. The association should reflect the diversity of its membership, including diverse experiences, races, genders, ethnicities, and both new and experienced members.
The Nominating Committee will select candidates to run for president-elect, executive board member, and no fewer than 18 candidates for the 12 at-large council seats to be filled in the 2027 spring election.
The president is the association's chief spokesperson and supports advancing the mission of ALA. The president-elect will serve a three-year term: as president-elect in 2027-28, as president in 2028-29, and as immediate past president in 2029-30.
The Executive Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Association and providing fiscal oversight to support ALA’s long-term goals and sustainability. Members elected to the ALA Executive Board will serve a three-year term, 2027-2030.
The Council is the policy making body of ALA. The councilors-at-large will serve a three-year term, 2027-30, beginning after the 2027 ALA Annual Conference and ending at the adjournment of the 2030 Annual Conference.
ALA members are eligible to run for the positions of President-Elect and Councilor-at-Large. For the Executive Board position, eligibility is limited to Councilors, Chairs of Standing Committees, or elected leaders of Divisions or Round Tables within the past five years.
Members interested in learning more about the nomination process should visit the ALA Election Website. The deadline to submit a nomination form is October 31, 2026.
The Nominating Committee may ask for additional information and/or schedule interviews about an individual's candidacy for a leadership position. Members will be notified of their candidacy status after the close of the nomination period. Members who did not complete a nomination form during the nomination period or were not selected by the Nominating Committee may run for office by petition. Members who are interested in running by petition may do so starting October 1, 2026 with a deadline of December 14, 2026.
Members may recommend potential nominees or ask questions via e-mail to any member of the Nominating Committee:
Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, Chair
Glendale Library, Arts & Culture
Glendale, CA
Wanda Kay Brown
Winston-Salem State University C. G. O'Kelly Library
Winston Salem, NC
Ana Elisa de Campos Salles
San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco, CA
Maria F. Estrella
Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland, OH
Eboni M. Henry
DC Public Schools
Fairfax, VA
Dr. Sandy Hirsh
San Jose State University
Palo Alto, CA
Katherine M. Lester
Wayne State University
South Lyon, MI
Sally Stieglitz
Long Island Library Resources Council
Bellport, NY
Joseph A. Thompson, Jr.
Carroll County Public Library
New Windsor, MD
