Governance

Public Library Association seeks volunteers for committees, task forces, and advisory groups

Members encouraged to apply by April 24

CHICAGO -- Attention: Public Library Association (PLA) members. Are you looking for ways to expand your professional network and become more active in PLA? Please consider applying to serve as a volunteer on one of our committees, task forces, or advisory groups. Our volunteers help shape the Association by advancing its strategic plan and influencing the direction of public librarianship.

Lucia Gonzalez elected ALSC vice-president/president-elect

CHICAGO — Lucia M. Gonzalez, director, North Miami Public Library (NMPL), North Miami, Florida, 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, 2020. 

Charity Tyler elected 2021-2022 United for Libraries president

EXTON, Pennsylvania — Charity Tyler, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, has been elected 2021-2022 United for Libraries president. Tyler will serve as president-elect during 2020-2021.

“I am excited to serve United for Libraries and its members,” said Tyler. “I look forward to growing United’s work in everyday advocacy, identifying opportunities to support the library funding needs of our members, and increasing resources for Friends of the Library groups, Boards of Trustees, and library Foundations.”

Polls now open in 2020 PLA election

Voting Deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 11:59 p.m. Central Time

CHICAGO -- The voting period has begun in the Public Library Association (PLA) 2020 election. Members will have an opportunity to elect three new directors to the PLA Board of Directors.

American Library Association gears up for 2020 ALA election

CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA) is gearing up for its upcoming election. Polls will open at 9 a.m. Central Time on Monday, March 9, 2020.  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 1, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. 

ALA responds to financial situation

CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA) President Wanda K. Brown and the ALA Executive Board released the following statement in response to financial shortfalls in the current fiscal year operating budget that were first brought to light at the Association’s recent Midwinter Meeting.

Booker, Neal and Rivera to serve on ALA Executive Board

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Council has elected Latrice Booker, Larry Neal and Alexandra Rivera to serve on the ALA Executive Board. The Executive Board election took place during the 2020 ALA Midwinter Meeting held Jan. 24-28, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Elected board members will begin a three-year term beginning in July 2020 and concluding in June 2023. 

ALA Appoints Tracie D. Hall as Executive Director

CHICAGO - The American Library Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Tracie D. Hall as its executive director, effective February 24, 2020. Following a nationwide search, Hall was selected to succeed Mary W. Ghikas, who has worked for ALA since 1995 and served as executive director since January 2018. Hall is the first female African American executive director in ALA’s history.

2020 ALA Nominating Committee Councilors-at-Large candidates announced

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Nominating Committee annually nominates candidates from among the general membership for members-at-large of Council. Individuals who are not selected by the Nominating Committee may run for office by petition.