Kristin Pekoll is Assistant Director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). She is part of a five person team dedicated to promoting the right to read and providing education about the First Amendment. Kristin shines a light on current book challenges in libraries and schools and advocates for access to information. As a former small town librarian, she is most passionate about supporting teachers and librarians in education and on the front lines.
John Chrastka is Executive Director of EveryLibrary, the first nationwide political action committee for libraries. Since 2013, EveryLibrary has helped 63 library communities with ballot measures for funding, operations, and buildings, winning 46 and securing over $220 million in funding on Election Days. A long-time library trustee, supporter and advocate, Mr. Chrastka is a former president of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn (IL) Public Library (2006 – 2015) and is a former president of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS), a multi-type library system. Prior to his work on EveryLibrary, he was a partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recruitment, conference, and governance activities, and was Director for Membership Development at the American Library Association (ALA).
Pam Sandlian Smith is the Director of Anythink Libraries in Adams County, Colorado, just north of Denver. Through her leadership, the public library system went from being the worst funded system in the state of Colorado to one of the most recognized library brands nationwide by creating an entirely new service model. Anythink was awarded the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the 2011 John Cotton Dana Award for Outstanding Public Relations, and the Library Journal 2011 Landmark Libraries award. Pam was the 2010 Colorado Librarian of the Year and the recipient of the 2012 Charlie Robinson Award for innovation and risk taking. She has also been honored for her work in library technology innovation and early literacy projects. Through her speaking and writing, Sandlian Smith stimulates discussions on innovation, creativity and participation in libraries worldwide.
