2026 PLA Election

Candidates and poll information for the 2026 PLA Election.

PLA members in good standing as of January 31, 2026 will be able to cast a digital ballot to vote. Polls will be open March 9–April 1, 2026.

Meet the PLA Candidates

One of the benefits of being a PLA member is using the power of your vote to guide the direction of the organization. In the 2026 PLA election, eight nominees will stand for four positions—PLA President, ALA Division Councilor, and two Directors-at-Large. These are crucial leadership roles that will guide PLA into the next several years, ensuring that PLA delivers on its core purpose to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. PLA thanks the 2026 Nominating Committee, chaired by Sonia A. Alcantara-Antoine, PLA Past President (2023–2024), for its work.

Get to know your candidates and invest in the future of PLA and public libraries by being a part of the 2026 election. Look below for the candidates and click on each name to learn more.

Information about candidates for ALA President is also included below.

Candidates for PLA President (2027–2028)

The PLA President will be elected for a three-year term beginning after 2026 ALA Annual Conference and completed at 2029 ALA Annual Conference, serving one year each as President-Elect (2026–2027), President (2027–2028), and Past-President (2028–2029).

Candidate for PLA President (2027–2028) Aimee Fifarek

Aimee Fifarek
Director and Chief Executive Officer 
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County 
Youngstown, OH

Candidate for PLA President (2027–2028) Skye Patrick

Skye Patrick
County Librarian and Director 
LA County Library 
Los Angeles County, CA

Candidates for ALA Division Councilor

The ALA Division Councilor will be elected for a three-year term beginning after 2026 ALA Annual Conference and completed at 2029 ALA Annual Conference.

Candidate for ALA Division Councilor Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown
Library Director 
Mount Kisco Public Library 
Mount Kisco, NY

Candidate for ALA Division Councilor Crystal R. Gates

Crystal R. Gates
CEO 
North Little Rock Public Library System 
North Little Rock, AR

Candidates for Directors-at-Large

There are two available seats for Directors-at-Large, each a three-year term beginning after 2026 ALA Annual Conference and completed at 2029 ALA Annual Conference. Voting PLA members will select one candidate for each seat.

Seat A

Candidate for PLA Director-at-Large Chris Brown

Chris Brown
Commissioner 
Chicago Public Library 
Chicago, IL

Candidate for PLA Director-at-Large Annie M. Miskewitch

Annie M. Miskewitch
Executive Director 
Schaumburg Township District Library 
Schaumburg, IL

Seat B

Candidate for PLA Director-at-Large Lola DeWitt

Lola DeWitt
Executive Director 
Live Oak Public Libraries 
Savannah, GA

Candidate for PLA Director-at-Large Derek Wolfgram

Derek Wolfgram
Library Director 
Redwood City Public Library 
Redwood City, CA

ALA Election

Candidates for ALA President (2027–2028)

Learn more about the ALA Elections and the candidates for ALA President (2027–2028): Tamika Barnes, Associate Dean, Perimeter College Library Services, Georgia State University; and Becky Calzada, District Library Coordinator, Leander Independent School District (ISD) in Leander, Texas.