{"id":6534,"date":"2025-02-17T20:05:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T04:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/?p=6534"},"modified":"2025-02-18T10:43:41","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T18:43:41","slug":"alasc-presents-american-library-association-2026-2026-presidential-campaign-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/alasc-presents-american-library-association-2026-2026-presidential-campaign-event\/","title":{"rendered":"ALASC Presents: American Library Association 2026-2027 Presidential Speaker Panel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being an active member of the American Library Association (ALA) means not just staying informed but also taking part in shaping the future of our profession. I\u2019m Gabe Farmer, SJSU ALASC member and writer of the <\/span>SJSU iStudent Blog<\/span><\/a>, and I\u2019m thrilled that I\u2019ve been invited to collaborate on this post leading up to the <\/span>ALA Presidential Candidates Speaker Panel<\/span><\/a>. On February 24 at 6:30 PM, SJSU ALASC is hosting this exclusive panel where you\u2019ll have a chance to hear directly from the candidates and learn how they envision the future of ALA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This event is your opportunity to engage directly with those who are vying to lead ALA in 2026-2027. Read on to get a brief introduction to each of the three candidates from SJSU ALASC Executive Board Member Sabrina Bobadilla.<\/span><\/p>\n

————————————<\/p>\n

Hey, it’s your Blogging Coordinator Sabrina! As information professionals, we are familiar with the ALA as one of the premier library leaders in the country. Along with the Library of Congress, the ALA is the frontline defense for intellectual freedom and libraries across the United States. In your INFO 203 class, you may have been offered the chance to become a member of the ALA, and now this is your opportunity to vote on who leads the future of libraries in America. Your vote for the future ALA president matters now more than ever, as the president will lead the fight for libraries in America.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to take a moment to introduce each candidate and their own words regarding their campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Andrea Jamison<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

Dr. Andrea Jamison is an Assistant Professor of Librarianship at Illinois State University. She has worked in libraries for over 17 years, and has a background in education and libraries, specifically school, public, and academic. Here is her campaign pitch:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am running for ALA President because the current climate of censorship threatens to unravel the very fabric of librarianship. Librarians are under attack, facing threats to their safety and professional integrity, while library services are being stripped of their inclusivity. Throughout my career, I have been a staunch advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, working tirelessly to make libraries welcoming spaces for all. Now more than ever, we need radical leadership\u2014someone who will engage in meaningful dialogue with allies and critics alike to emphasize the essential role of equitable library services and social justice in upholding democratic ideals. As ALA President, I will strategically combat misinformation about our profession and help communities understand the dangers of regressing to the exclusionary practices of the past, when segregation and censorship defined too many library spaces. The freedoms of marginalized communities are at stake, and calls to dismantle intellectual freedom further threaten our democracy. I will work to build partnerships and innovative programs that will ensure libraries remain committed to our mission of providing open access to information for all. Together, we will chart a bold path forward, championing the transformative power of libraries in a just society.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more about Andrea and her campaign click HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maria McCauley<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dr. <\/span>Maria McCauley<\/span> is currently the Director of Libraries for the city of Cambridge Massachusetts. She holds a BA from Ohio Wesleyan, and a MLIS from University of Pittsburgh, and a PhD from Simmons. She is the former PLA (Public Library Association) President and served on the ALA executive board. Here is what Maria has to say about her campaign:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello! I am Maria McCauley and I ask for your vote for President of the American Library Association (ALA) as I prepare to work in partnership with ALA and its members to:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Increase Equity and Access, removing systematic barriers that inhibit library staff and the public, and improving library services for everyone.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Advocate for Libraries, building coalitions and strategic partnerships, and raising awareness on key issues, including the right to read.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Deepen the ALA Membership Experience through learning, growth, support, and connection.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Promote Economic and Environmental Sustainability by investing in inclusive leadership and ecologically sound practices for libraries and the Association.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As ALA members, we have a lot of work to do together. At its best, ALA is a convening and connecting place that enables us to enact our vision for libraries.\u00a0 I look forward to bringing us together around our common goals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    For more information on Maria McCauley’s campaign click HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Lindsay Cronk<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Lindsay Cronk currently serves as the Dean of Libraries at Tulane University and is the vice chair of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Her experience includes assistant dean at the University of Rochester and director for collection strategies and head of collection strategies. She holds a BA in international relations and studio art, an MLIS from Valdosta State University. Here is her campaign:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cHi, <\/span>I\u2019m Lindsay,<\/span><\/a> the loudest librarian you know and your ally in pursuing knowledge equity. I\u2019ve been described as \u201ca force of nature,\u201d \u201ca dynamo,\u201d and \u201cThe Real Deal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    The American Library Association (ALA) has given me (and so many others) support, education, and community. <\/span>I would not have my career or my community without ALA.<\/b> ALA still matters, and it always will<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    I am in the race to be President because I believe in the Association \u2014 it is our legacy and our promise. I am ready to serve and hope to earn your support. This site is where you can read a<\/span>bout my background<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>my platform<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>my past work<\/span><\/a>. You can find <\/span>endorsements<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>jams<\/span><\/a>. I hope you\u2019ll <\/span>connect<\/span><\/a> with the campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s do this\u2014 together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    For information about Linsday, you can visit her site HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    A big thank you to Sabrina for giving us some insights into our presidential candidates! Register now for the SJSU ALASC Speaker Panel at <\/span>this link<\/span><\/a> to hear from the candidates themselves, and submit a question to be a part of the conversation that shapes the future of librarianship. We\u2019ll see you there!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Following the event, be on the lookout for a recap post over on the <\/span>SJSU iStudent Blog<\/span><\/a>! Your participation in the election process is important for the future of our profession. The ballot for the 2025 ALA election will be mailed starting March 10 and will run until April 2. Learn more about the election <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Being an active member of the American Library Association (ALA) means not just staying informed but also taking part in shaping the future of our profession. I\u2019m Gabe Farmer, SJSU […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":6535,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alasc-news","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6534","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6534"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6543,"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6534\/revisions\/6543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}