Governance Office

The Executive Board of the American Library Association (ALA) issued the following statement in response to proposed state legislation that would censor library materials or put at risk library workers who provide access to information, including information on abortion or any aspect of reproductive health care.

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, adult services assistant manager, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, California as the recipient of the 2022 Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change Award. Pelayo-Lozada is executive director of the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association and president-elect of the American Library Association (2022-23 President). She is a determined advocate for issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion, inspiring those around her.

CHICAGO — Adrian Stratton, president of the New York Association of Parliamentarians, has accepted the role of American Library Association (ALA) parliamentarian.

Eli Mina, who has served as ALA’s parliamentarian for 20 years, will be retiring at the adjournment of the 2022 Annual Conference in Washington DC, June 23-28, 2022. Stratton will be stepping into this role thereafter.

ALA employs a parliamentarian who is not a member of the association for the Council and Membership meetings of the Association.

CHICAGO — Emily Drabinski, interim chief librarian at The Graduate Center, City University of New York has been elected 2022-2023 president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA).

Drabinski received 5,410 votes, while her opponent, Kelvin Watson, executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District received 4,622 votes.

Upon learning the outcome of the election, Drabinski provided the following statement: