What an honor it is to address the membership of the oldest, largest, and most influential library association in the world. It is more humbling still to serve in community with you as an ALA member leader and to have the privilege of seeking your support in shaping a future where every voice is heard, every story is celebrated, and every library is a beacon of enlightenment.
Together we will write the next chapter of ALA’s legacy. With tremendous passion for the work and impact of libraries, I stand for election as ALA president and seek to leverage this great opportunity to promote, uplift, encourage, and endorse you, your steady efforts, and the values we represent as a profession.
As an ALA Executive Board member, ALA chapter councilor, Iowa Library Association past president, and former chair of the Iowa Governor’s Commission of Libraries, I recognize that leadership—much like librarianship—is about listening, learning, and linking people with opportunities.
Through inclusion, equity, diversity, and resolve, we must continue to navigate historic transitions as an Association. It is my hope to provide my leadership abilities, which insert joyful offense to library-adverse legislation; effective advocacy toward sustaining and resourcing libraries at federal, state, and local levels; and an all-consuming need to share our transformative stories.
I am fully committed to our professional values and to ALA’s mission to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession “in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.” I believe my campaign values complement the good work we are called to do:
Free for all, all the time. Libraries function as economic, educational, and political cornerstones of society, making them essential to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We must advocate for robust resourcing to ensure libraries continue to support our communities and help them thrive. The attempted privatization of access and opportunity must be countered by our profession and its stakeholders.
We do this good work together. Our diverse perspectives and talents shape the impact of library services. The work of the Association is often complex, even messy. However, through policies, procedures, and processes, all are welcome to conduct the meaningful—and difficult—work of libraries. Identifying shared values and the impact of free people reading freely are viable bridges of partnership.
Our stories are worth sharing. The joy, impact, connection, and development made possible by libraries should not be lost amid historic social, political, and economic strife. We must emphatically share good library news.
Serving ALA with you has already been the honor of a lifetime. Your stories of community building, reflective progress, and compassionate, mindful service inspire my own.
I respectfully seek your vote and partnership, and I thank you for your consideration. Our stories are worth sharing, and together we will write the next chapter of the American Library Association’s legacy.
