ALA Nominating Committee seeks ALA President-elect & ALA Councilor at Large candidates for 2024 election

The American Library Association (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 various leadership positions. The association should reflect the diversity of our membership, including diverse experiences, races, genders, ethnicities, and both new and experienced members. Currently, the Nominating Committee for the 2024 ALA election is seeking nominees for the positions of ALA president-elect and councilor-at-large on the 2024 spring ballot.

The Nominating Committee will select candidates to run for president-elect and no fewer than 18 candidates for the 12 at-large council seats to be filled in the 2024 spring election (ALA Bylaws, Article VI. Council Section 2.E.).

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 2024-25, as president in 2025-26, and as immediate past president in 2026-27.

The ALA Council is the policy making body of ALA. The councilors-at-large will serve a three-year term 2024-27, beginning after the 2024 ALA Annual Conference and ending at the adjournment of the 2027 Annual Conference.

The ALA president and councilors also serve in corresponding roles in the ALA-Allied Professional Association [ALA-APA]. Individuals considering ALA-APA offices are encouraged to consult with their employer regarding any restrictions pertaining to lobbying activities or service on the governing body of a 501(c)6 organization.

For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions for either role visit the ALA Election Website.

All potential nominees must complete the ALA Candidate Biographical Form. The Nominating Committee may ask for additional information and/or schedule interviews about an individual's candidacy for a leadership position. Nominations and forms must be received no later than September 30, 2023. 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 on October 1, 2023.

Members may recommend potential nominees or ask questions via e-mail to any member of the Nominating Committee:

Aliqae Geraci, Chair

Director, Walter P. Reuther Library

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

aliqae.geraci@gmail.com

Erin Berman

Division Director

Alameda County Public Library

Fremont, CA

erinberman@aclibrary.org

Maggie Farrell

Dean of Libraries

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV

maggie.farrell@unlv.edu

Nichelle M. Hayes

President

BCALA

Indianapolis, IN

nichellehayes@gmail.com

Kimberly Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Tulsa City-County Library

Tulsa, OK

kim.johnson@tulsalibrary.org

Jennifer Shimada

Program Director, Library and Instructional Media

Relay Graduate School of Education

New York, NY

jennifer.shimada@gmail.com

Valerie Tagoe

Media Specialist

Woodrow Wilson High School

Dallas, TX

libraryleader77@gmail.com

Joyce Valenza

Associate Professor

Rutgers University SC&I

New Brunswick, NJ

joycevalenza@gmail.com

Kathy Zappitello

Executive Director

Conneaut Public Library

Conneaut, OH

kathy.zappitello@conneaut.lib.oh.us

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.