In an effort to help ALSC members make an informed decision before they vote, today’s blog post consists of a statement from the candidate for ALSC’s 2023-24 Division Councilor, Julie Roach. The candidate submitted a written statement. Voting begins Monday, March 13th.
It is an honor to stand for election to the ALSC Board in the role of Division Councilor.
I have been an active member of ALSC for 21 years. During that time, I have served in various ways and on a range of committees, most recently as chair of the 2020 Caldecott Selection Committee. I also served as a member of the ALSC Board from 2014-2017.

I manage Youth Services for the Cambridge Public Library in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I lead an outstanding youth services team in a busy public library. I review children’s literature for the Horn Book Magazine and teach as an adjunct instructor for Simmons University’s Graduate School of Library and Information Science.
ALA and ALSC uphold library services that respect all children as individuals with rights of their own. In all my professional work, I advocate for welcoming and supportive library services that inspire and empower the youngest members of our communities in this way. It is with that spirit and commitment that I look toward the role of Division Councilor for ALSC.
– Julie Roach
The 2023 ALA Election opens Monday, March 13th and closes Wednesday, April 5th. To learn more, please visit Amy Koester’s blogpost Leadership, the ALSC Governance Slate for 2023, and What Every Member Can Do. And don’t forget to vote!