91´«Ã½

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd

Biography

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd has worked for eight public library systems, including six in Ohio, as well as the Austin Public Library, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in North Carolina. She’s been in her current role as deputy director of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library since 2011.

In her current role as deputy director, she is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public services for the system; supervision of eight public service managers; budget development and allocation; statistical reporting and creation, communication, and reporting of the strategic plan.

Since 2007, she’s been heavily involved in 91´«Ã½, PLA, the Ohio Library Council, and the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, with membership and leadership roles in conference planning, virtual and in-person presentations, membership and leadership roles on committees, and five years as an 91´«Ã½ Councilor at Large.

Her specific PLA involvement has included serving on two conference programming subcommittees, four years on the Membership Advisory Group (including two as co-chair), service as a peer reviewer to Public Libraries Magazine, and volunteering as a resume reviewer at multiple conferences.

She has a BA from the Ohio State University and an MLIS from the University of Texas. She’s an administrator of the Facebook group “Librarian Leadership,” which is focused on women in leadership and managerial roles. Outside of library work, she’s an avid reader, jigsaw puzzler, gardener, cat mom, and fan of all Cleveland sports, where she’s learned how to persevere, even through hard times.

Candidate's website: .

Personal Statement

“I'm honored to stand election for PLA President-Elect because I care deeply about both the present and the future of our profession and the organization that has represented it so well. In combining my skills, experience, values, knowledge and dedication, I can confidently, diligently and thoughtfully lead the organization into the future, so that we are leveraging opportunities and conquering challenges together. If elected, I would also be dedicated to being a listening ear to membership, keeping your wants and needs at the forefront of my work.

"As PLA President-Elect, I would bring my values of accountability, inclusion, integrity, intellectual freedom, responsibility, service and social justice. These values would guide my work in advancing our organization. As part of my commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion, I worked intentionally to help develop concrete initiatives that launched my library’s DEI plan in 2020. Continuing the important work that PLA has already started in this area would be a key focus area for me, so that we can reach and serve all people wherever they are in their lives.”