Meet the PLA Board

Jamar O. Rahming is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL). Rahming was selected to lead CCPL after a nationwide search facilitated by the Board of Trustees. Also, Rahming is president-elect of the Public Library Association, the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals across the United States and Canada.

Rahming has worked in the library industry for 20 years and has been at the forefront of many innovative initiatives. He most recently served as Executive Director of the Wilmington Institute Free Library in Wilmington, Delaware, an award-winning organization that was recognized with the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities; the 2022 John Dana Cotton Public Relations Award, presented by the American Library Association for outstanding effective strategic communications; the 2024 Library Journal Marketer of the Year Award; and recognition by Fodor’s Travel as one of the most beautiful libraries in the nation.

In 2023, Rahming received the Movers & Shakers Community Builders award from Library Journal for his innovative efforts in facilitating some of the most impactful programs the library industry has ever seen. He was named the 2024 CEO of the Year by the Delaware Business Times and is a recipient of the 2025 I Love My Library Award by the American Library Association that recognizes library leaders who go above and beyond for their communities.

Rahming has previously served as the Library Director of the Jackson County Library District (Oregon), Regional Library Manager of the Austin Public Library (Texas), and Regional Library Manager of the Charleston County Public Library (South Carolina).

Rahming holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History/African Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.