Governance Office

ALA announces election ballot measure results

CHICAGO -  Today the American Library Association (ALA) announced the outcomes of three ballot measures regarding a proposed membership dues adjustment and an amendment to ALA executive director education requirements.  

Brown Wins 2019–2020 ALA Presidency

CHICAGO – Wanda Brown, Director of Library Services at the C.G. O’Kelly Library, Winston-Salem State University, Winston Salem, N.C., has been elected president-elect of the American Library Association.

Brown received 6,066 votes, while her opponent, Peter Hepburn, Head Librarian, College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, Calif., received 4,066 votes

ALA and AASL release joint statement on Florida Senate Bill 7026

CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA) President Jim Neal and American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Steven Yates released the following joint statement in response to legislation that will allow for the arming of school librarians in Florida schools. Senate Bill 7026 would permit librarians, counselors, and coaches to carry firearms in Florida Public Schools.

American Library Association appoints Cushman & Wakefield as strategic real estate advisor

CHICAGOThe American Library Association (ALA) has appointed Cushman & Wakefield as its exclusive real estate advisory firm to assist in the development of strategic real estate options that support the mission, business, and financial goals of the ALA.

ALA Appoints Mary Ghikas as Executive Director through January 2020

 CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Executive Board has appointed Mary Ghikas as executive director through January 2020, effective immediately. Ghikas has been serving as interim executive director since August 1, 2017, after the retirement of Keith Michael Fiels. She was most recently senior associate executive director of member programs and services.

ALA condemns racism and violence in Charlottesville

CHICAGO - Today American Library Association President Jim Neal released the following statement regarding the weekend’s tragic violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Committee Appointments 2018-2019

CHICAGO — Loida Garcia-Febo, American Library Association (ALA) president-elect, encourages members to volunteer to serve on ALA, Council, and two joint committees for the 2018-2019 term (terms start on July 1, 2018). Serving on a committee provides members with leadership training, networking opportunities, and experience in working on specific association topics.

ALA Council resolution on global climate change

CHICAGO - At the 2017 Annual Conference in Chicago, ALA Council passed a resolution calling for libraries to preserve and make available factual, scientific data, information and literature both from government and citizen sources pointing to evidence of global climate change.

Council resolution calls for libraries to create responsible spaces

CHICAGO - At the 2017 Annual Conference in Chicago, the ALA Council passed a resolution regarding libraries as responsible spaces. As part of the Committee on Diversity report, this resolution is in response to a documented increase in hate crimes occurring in libraries.

The resolution calls for libraries to adopt and enforce user behavior policies that protect patrons and staff from harassment while maintaining ALA’s historic support for the freedom of speech.