ALA Nominating Committee seeks ALA President-elect, ALA Treasurer, & ALA Councilor at Large candidates for 2025 election

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) thrives thanks to the energy, diversity, and commitment of its members and leaders. The Nominating Committee encourages members to consider serving the association in various leadership positions. The association should reflect the diversity of our membership, including diverse experiences, races, genders, ethnicities, and both new and experienced members. Currently, the Nominating Committee for the 2025 ALA election is seeking nominees for the positions of ALA president-elect, treasurer and councilor-at-large on the 2025 spring ballot.

The Nominating Committee will select candidates to run for president-elect, treasurer and no fewer than 18 candidates for the 12 at-large council seats to be filled in the 2025 spring election (ALA Bylaws, Article VI. Council Section 2.E.).

The president is the Association's chief spokesperson and supports advancing the mission of ALA. The president-elect will serve a three-year term: as president-elect in 2025-26, as president in 2026-27, and as immediate past president in 2027-28.

The treasurer is an officer of the Association, a member of the ALA Executive Board, and supports the overall financial health of the ALA. The treasurer will serve a three-year term 2025-28.

The ALA Council is the policy making body of ALA. The councilors-at-large will serve a three-year term 2025-28, beginning after the 2025 ALA Annual Conference and ending at the adjournment of the 2028 Annual Conference.

The ALA president, treasurer, and councilors also serve in corresponding roles in the ALA-Allied Professional Association [ALA-APA]. Individuals considering ALA-APA offices are encouraged to consult with their employer regarding any restrictions pertaining to lobbying activities or service on the governing body of a 501(c)6 organization.

For more information, including submission of the ALA Candidate Biographical Form visit the ALA Election Website.

The Nominating Committee may ask for additional information and/or schedule interviews about an individual's candidacy for a leadership position. Nominations and forms must be received no later than September 16, 2024. Members will be notified of their candidacy status after the close of the nomination period. Members who did not complete a nomination form during the nomination period or were not selected by the Nominating Committee may run for office by petition. Members who are interested in running by petition may do so on October 1, 2024.

Members may recommend potential nominees or ask questions via e-mail to any member of the Nominating Committee:

Nicole Cooke, Chair
Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and Professor
School of Information Science, University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
ncooke@mailbox.sc.edu

Cynthia Aden
MLIS Program Chair
University of Washington, iSchool
Seattle, WA
cindyaltickaden@gmail.com

Richard Ashby Jr.
Director
Sharon Hill Public Library
Philadelphia, PA
richardeashbyjr@gmail.com

Jaena Rae Cabrera
Branch Manager
San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco, CA
president@apalaweb.org

Martin Garnar
Director
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
mgarnar@amherst.edu

Jody Gray
Associate University Librarian for Research
University of Minnesota Libraries
Minneapolis, MN
grayjl@umn.edu

Mark A. Puente
Associate Dean for Organizational Development
Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies
West Lafayette, IN
puentema@purdue.edu

Elayne Silversmith (Diné)
Librarian, Vine Deloria, Jr. Library
National Museum of the American Indian
Alexandria, VA
SilversmithE@si.edu

Derek Wolfgram
Director
Redwood City Public Library
Redwood City, CA
dwolfgram@redwoodcity.org

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.