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CHICAGO — Members of the Public Library Association (PLA) are invited to participate in a free, virtual forum on Tuesday, March 21, at 1 p.m. Central to get to know the candidates standing for president in the 2023 PLA election. The forum will be facilitated by PLA President Dr. Maria McCauley and will feature candidates Jessica Dorr, Director, Boise (Idaho) Public Library, and Michael Lambert, City Librarian, San Francisco (Calif.). Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during the live Q&A.



One of the benefits of being a PLA member is using the power of voting to guide the direction of the organization. PLA members in good standing as of January 31, 2023, will be able to cast a digital ballot to vote. Ballots will be emailed beginning on March 13, 2023, and the voting deadline will be April 5, 2023.

The 2023 PLA presidential candidates are listed below. Click on the name of each candidate to read their extended bios and personal statements.

Jessica Dorr is the director of the Boise Public Library in Boise, Idaho. Prior to joining the library, Dorr worked at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in a variety of roles over two decades supporting libraries in the U.S. and internationally. She stated, "My experience working with libraries around the world to collectively address shared challenges will help PLA achieve its mission of positioning libraries at the heart of communities."

Michael Lambert is the first Asian American to serve as city librarian for the City and County of San Francisco, championing increased and equitable access to libraries. Previously, Lambert managed library operations at San Mateo County Libraries in California and at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in North Carolina. "I would like to serve as the president of the Public Library Association to share my passion for public service and my belief in the transformational power of libraries to help people live their best lives,” he said.

To learn more about the full slate of candidates standing for positions on the PLA Board, please visit the 2023 PLA Election webpage.

ABOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 9,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.

ABOUT AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is the oldest and largest library association in the world. Founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the mission of 91´«Ã½ is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.” For more information, visit .