CHICAGO — Maggie Farrell, dean of libraries at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, and Sari Feldman, executive director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, Ohio, are the candidates for the 2015-16 presidency of the American Library Association (ALA).
“Thank you for the nomination for the position of ALA President-elect,” Farrell said. “Serving in this leadership role is a great honor given the critical work of our association in advancing libraries. ALA is instrumental in advocating for the contributions of libraries in our society and it is my hope to continue this legacy in addition to advancing our profession through education and professional development programs. I look forward to meeting with our members and discussing how together we define the future of libraries and our profession.”
Farrell has been an ALA member since 1988. She served as the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL) division councilor (2010-13) and ALA councilor-at-large (2004-07).
Her activities also include serving as chair of the Committee on Legislation, Federal Depository Library Program Task Force (2012-present); member of the International Relations Committee (2009-11), Traditional Cultural Expressions Task Force Co-Chair (2010-11), and the ACRL Board (2010-13).
She is currently a member of the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries Member Council and served as chair (2012-13), and held a seat on the OCLC Board of Trustees (2006-13).
Her honors include appointment by Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal and reappointment by Governor Matt Mead to the Wyoming Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics, 2008-14 where she currently serves as chair.
Her publications include “Princely Planning in a Political Environment” in “The Machiavellian Librarian: Winning Allies, Combating Budget Cuts, and Influencing Stakeholders,” fall 2014; “Developing a Faculty Advisory Group,” Journal of Library Administration, 2011; and “Reframing Organizations through Communication and Advocacy” in "World Library and Information Congress," 2009.
Farrell holds a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University, and a Master of Library Science from the University of Arizona, a BA in American Studies from the University of Missouri Kansas City, and a Russian Linguist Certification from the Defense Language Institute.
Feldman has been an ALA member since 1990.
She stated, “It is an honor to be nominated for leadership in the American Library Association. Libraries and library services are engaged today in a critical period of evolution. The role of the ALA is increasingly important as the library profession transforms to address digital opportunities and technological innovation while staying true to our values of intellectual freedom, equitable access, literacy and diversity. I am energized by the prospect of connecting with our membership to advocate on behalf of our professional community and to advance support for and awareness of libraries of all types.”
Feldman’s activities include serving as president of the Public Library Association (PLA) (2009-10), chair of the ALA Office for Literacy/Outreach Services Advisory Committee (2000-2003) and co-chair of the ALA Digital Content and Libraries Working Group (2011-present).
She previously chaired the Urban Libraries Council Urban Youth Strategy Group (2005-2006) and served on the PLA Every Child Ready to Read Task Force (2007-2008) and PLA Task Force on Pre-School Literacy (2001-2005).
Feldman currently serves as board president of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, a political subdivision of the State of Ohio and one of the largest local public funders of arts and culture in the nation. She is also a founding member and current trustee on the board of OneCommunity, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding high-speed broadband access to drive innovation and economic growth across Northeast Ohio.
Feldman is the 2013 recipient of the PLA Charlie Robinson Award, established to recognize innovative public library directors. Her previous honors include the Crain’s Cleveland Business Woman of Note award (2011), the USA Toy Library Association Player of the Year (2008), the Syracuse University Vice President’s Award for Teacher of the Year (1995) and the ALA Loleta D. Fyan grant (1994).
Her co-authored publications include “Politics and Advocacy: The Role of Networking in Selling the Library to Your Community,” Public Library Quarterly, 2007; “The Dream of One Cleveland,” Library Journal, 2005; and "Learning Environments for Young Children: Rethinking Library Spaces and Services," 1998.
She received an MA in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a BA in English from State University of New York in Binghamton.
Farrell and Feldman will engage in a candidates’ forum from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. The candidates will each have an opportunity to make a statement and will answer questions from the audience.
Ballot mailing for the 2014 ALA Election will begin on March 19. The election will close on April 25, 2014.
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