Governance

Amy Koester elected ALSC vice-president/president-elect

Amy Koester, learning experiences manager, Skokie (Ill.) Public Library (SPL), has been elected vice president/president-elect of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). She begins her term as president-elect on July 1, 2021. 

Margaret Heller Elected 2021-22 Core President-elect

Margaret Heller, Digital Services Librarian at Loyola University Chicago, has been elected as the 2021-22 President-elect of Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Her term will begin July 1, and she’ll serve in that role until July 1, 2022, when she’ll become President of Core. Heller’s fellow candidate for President-elect was Maurini Strub, Director of Performance & User Engagement at the University of Rochester (NY) River Campus Libraries.

Pelayo-Lozada wins 2022-2023 ALA presidency

CHICAGO -  Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, adult services assistant manager, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, California has been elected 2021-2022 president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA). Pelayo-Lozada is the first Emerging Leader to be elected ALA President; she was part of the 2011 class.

2021 Public Library Association election results

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced the results of its 2021 Election. Voting was available from March 8 through April 7, and open to all PLA members in good standing.

The members elected Dr. Maria Taesil Hudson McCauley, director of Libraries at the Cambridge (Massachusetts) Public Library to the office of 2022-2023 PLA president.

ALA announces $1.25M emergency fund for libraries impacted by COVID-19

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) announced today it will make available $1.25M in emergency relief grants to libraries that have experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund invites public, school, academic, and tribal libraries across the United States and US Territories to apply for grants of $30,000 to $50,000.

ALA Executive Board supports APALA in recognizing and condemning ongoing anti-Asian hate crimes

Update March 25, 2021: Since the Executive Board issued this statement on March 11, another horrific act of racist, sexist, and targeted violence against the Asian community was perpetuated in Atlanta. In the aftermath of the murders of eight people, including six Asian women, we again amplify the words of our colleagues in the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association and join them in asking all ALA members to publicly condemn anti-AAPI racism through visible actions and join forces in battling discrimination, xenophobia, and white supremacy.

ALA Elections now open – cast your vote today!

CHICAGO -- American Library Association (ALA) election polls are now open!    ALA members are encouraged to cast a digital ballot to vote for association-wide leadership that will shape the future and direction of the association. ALA’s annual election will close on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. 

Sam Helmick, Christina Rodriques, Ana Elisa de Campos Salles to serve on ALA Executive Board

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Council has elected Sam Helmick, Christina Rodriques and Ana Elisa de Campos Salles to serve on the ALA Executive Board. The Executive Board election took place during the 2021 ALA Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits, held virtually Jan. 22-26. Elected board members will begin a three-year term beginning in July 2021 and concluding in June 2024.

American Library Association joins American Historical Association’s condemnation of the 1776 Commission’s Report

CHICAGO — The American Library Association’s Executive Board has signed on to a statement from the American Historical Association that condemns the Advisory 1776 Commission report from the previous administration that “reject[s] recent efforts to understand the multiple ways the institution of slavery shaped our nation’s history.” Of its decision to cosign the statement, ALA said:

ALA condemns violence on Capitol Hill, calls for advocacy

WASHINGTON, DC — The Executive Board of the American Library Association (ALA) gives thanks for the safety of the staff in our Public Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington and ALA members who work on Capitol Hill, as well as for elected legislators, congressional staff and other government workers who put themselves in jeopardy to defend the seat of our federal government on January 6, 2021.