The American Library Association (ALA) released a statement November 1 announcing the candidates running for ALA president for the 2024–2025 term. The statement reads as follows:
ALA’s Nominating Committee has selected two nominees to contend in the upcoming election for ALA president. The candidates vying for the 2024–2025 term are Cindy Hohl, director of policy analysis and operational support at Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library, and Eric D. Suess, director of Marshall Public Library in Pocatello, Idaho.
Hohl is past president of the American Indian Library Association and an active member of other ALA affiliates, including the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, Black Caucus of ALA, Chinese American Librarians Association, and Reforma: the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking. As a member of the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of ALA, she currently cochairs the Membership Advisory Group and was a member of the PLA Strategic Plan Review Team. Hohl is a member of several round tables, including the Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT), Library Research Round Table, and Social Responsibilities Round Table.
Hohl holds a bachelor’s degree in organization management and leadership from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas; an MLIS from Wayne State University in Detroit; and a master’s in business administration from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.
“With recent activities threatening equity of library service, promoting censorship, and targeting library staff through harassment and other forums, there has never been a better time for an experienced library leader to stand for election as ALA president-elect to lend their voice and provide steady leadership when faced with adversity,” Hohl said.
Hohl continued, “As a member of the executive board of the Freedom to Read Foundation, it would be an honor to serve our colleagues through these challenging times to promote a united front across the field, and I am committed to leading in a good way. As an ALA Spectrum Scholar representing the Santee Sioux Nation, I represent diverse viewpoints of our Association, as we continue to build an inclusive and welcoming community together where everyone belongs. We are stronger together!”
Suess is an active member of the Idaho Library Association, a chapter of ALA, where he previously chaired its Intellectual Freedom Committee. He was also a member of the ALA Council for more than 10 years and was involved in several Council committees, including the Committee on Legislation, the Committee on Organization, and the Policy Monitoring Committee. He is currently a member of the following ALA divisions: Association for Library Service to Children, Core, PLA, and the Young Adult Library Services Association. He belongs to several round tables, including the Games and Gaming Round Table, Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table, IFRT, and International Relations Round Table.
Suess holds a bachelor’s degree in government from University of Notre Dame in Indiana and an MLIS from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
“It is with enthusiasm and humility that I seek to serve as president-elect of ALA. This is a time of significant change and complex challenges. By seeking and welcoming the collective experience of our diverse membership, we can successfully address whatever comes our way,” Suess said.
“As a leader who has always valued a team approach, I hope to focus on the communication of ideas from every level of our Association with the understanding that excellent input can, and often does, come from unexpected sources. As we address issues of finance, organization, public perception, and the need for growth, it is crucial that we do so while upholding our professional values with intelligence and passion. As we succeed together, we must do so in a manner which inspires future generations to follow our lead,” Suess concluded.
ALA also announced on November 1 the 61 candidates running for 38 councilor-at-large seats on ALA Council. Additionally, two candidates filed petitions for the councilor-at-large position by the December 31 deadline, according to a statement from ALA on January 6, 2023.
Hohl and Suess will engage in a virtual candidates’ forum at 2:30 p.m. Central on February 15, 2023. Each candidate will have the opportunity to share a statement and answer questions from members. ALA members can register for the forum here. Immediately following the forum, ALA members can virtually meet each candidate.
Ballot mailing for the election will begin March 13, 2023 and will run through April 5, 2023. Individuals must be members in good standing to vote in the 2023 ALA elections. Memberships can be renewed online or by calling 1-800-545-2433, option 1. For more information, visit the ALA Election page.
Updated: November 11, 2022, and January 6, 2023, to update the number of petition candidates and councilor-at-large seats available.
