WASHINGTON (April 17, 2019) – Howard alumnus Julius C. Jefferson Jr., section head of the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., has been elected president of the American Library Association (ALA). Jefferson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Howard University and a master’s of library science from University of Maryland, is scheduled to take office at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago after one year of service as president-elect.

The ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world, founded in 1876, with the mission of providing “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.

Jefferson is one of a small number of African-Americans to serve as ALA President within the association’s 140-year history.

Upon learning the outcome of the election, Jefferson remarked, "It is an immense honor to be elected 2020-2021 president of the American Library Association. I look forward to building our brand, focusing on the value of library workers, and advocating for the essential work being done to support our libraries. Together we will collaborate to strengthen our core values of equity, diversity, and inclusion; advocacy; leadership and professional development; and information policy, and address the internal and external challenges." 

Click here to read the full ALA: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2019/04/jefferson-wins-2020-2021-ala-presidency

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About ALA 
American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu