The Friends of the Lehigh University Libraries invite you to join us on Monday, December 1, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Whitaker Lab Auditorium (Room 303) for The State of America’s Libraries from an ALA Perspective, presented by Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries for the City of Cambridge, MA and 2025–2026 president-elect of the American Library Association.
About the talk
Dr. Maria McCauley, President-elect of the American Library Association and Director of Libraries in Cambridge, Massachusetts, will discuss the State of America’s Libraries from an ALA perspective. Libraries are facing rising censorship attempts, federal budget cuts, and evolving societal issues. Amidst these challenges, library workers across the country have persevered, innovating creative solutions, cultivating partnerships, and convening to advocate for library funding and support. Learn about ALA initiatives, national library coalitions, and other ways to get involved to build a better future for libraries.
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session led by University Librarian Boaz Nadav-Manes. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Register now.
About the speaker
Dr. Maria McCauley is Director of Libraries for the City of Cambridge, where she leads a team of 166 talented staff members and works closely with three boards and across the city to achieve an inclusive, ambitious vision of library services for all. Prior to Cambridge, she served as the Director of Libraries in Santa Monica, Director of Libraries for the City of Somerville, and held several library positions at Northeastern University. She is the 2025 – 2026 president-elect of the American Library Association and was the Past President of the Public Library Association, a division of ALA.
Sponsored by The Friends of the Lehigh University Libraries.