Lindsay Cronk, Dean of Libraries at Tulane University, New Orleans, Andrea Jamison, assistant professor of school librarianship at Illinois State University, and Maria McCauley, director of libraries at the Cambridge Public Library (Mass.) have been announced as the candidates for the 2026-27 presidency of the American Library Association.
Cronk currently serves as a member of Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures and has also served on ALA Council. She is the first woman to serve as Dean of Libraries at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“With a proven record of building teams and coalitions—within ALA and beyond—I am prepared to guide the Association through this pivotal moment of challenges and opportunities, Cronk said in a statement. "Libraries are indispensable—not only providing resources but also fostering curiosity and inspiring a love of knowledge. When libraries lead, communities succeed.”
Jamison is a current member of the Association for Library Service to Children, the Black Caucus of ALA, and the Intellectual Freedom Round Table, and was chair of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom Working Group for Diversity in Collection Development in 2017.
“Libraries have a unique role in empowering people not only by providing equitable access to information but by fostering critical thinking and an understanding of our pluralistic world," Jamison said in her statement. "I am committed to supporting efforts that counter assaults on intellectual freedom, uphold the reputation of library professionals, reshape the narrative about libraries, leverage partnerships, advocate for legislative protections for library workers, and stand in unwavering support of every librarian dedicated to serving their communities.”
McCauley was a Spectrum Scholar, is a current member of Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, as well as the Public Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries. She has held several leadership positions, including as PLA president (2022-23).
“I am excited to bring my executive leadership and governance experience, knowledge, and passion for libraries to the presidential role," McCauley said in her statement. "With my inclusive leadership practices and facilitation skills, I will work across the association to strengthen ALA, inspire, guide, and connect members, and advocate for intellectual freedom, equity and inclusion, sustainability, and the public good of libraries.”
ALA said that Cronk, Jamison and McCauley will participate in a virtual ALA Presidential Candidates' Forum to be held in February 2025, with more information to come.
Members who are interested in running for ALA president may still do so by completing a petition form with the signatures of no fewer than 200 ALA current personal members. Petitions are due by December 13, 2024. In addition to the petition itself, members must complete a Candidate Biographical Information Form.
Ballot mailing for the ALA election will begin on March 10, 2025, and will run through April 2, 2025.
