Libraries and Democracy: A Conversation with American Library Association President Cindy Hohl

A Special City Club Forum on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Cleveland Public Library. This forum is FREE and open to the public, but registration is required through Cleveland Public Library

In July 2024, Cindy Hohl was inaugurated as the next President of the American Library Association (ALA). As a member of the Santee Sioux Nation in Nebraska, she is the second Native American woman to serve as ALA President. During her term, she plans to focus on four main pillars of librarianship: intellectual freedom, literacy, learning, and leadership. “There has never been a better time to serve our communities within the roles of librarianship and we stand united in our mission to ensure equal access to information for all,” said Hohl.

Hohl also plans to lead the creation of an informational toolkit to address Missing, Murdered, Indigenous Women and People in the United States when communities need information to conduct searches for their missing loved ones, or to share information outside of the community.

In partnership with Cleveland Public Library, and in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the City Club’s Cynthia Connolly will sit down with Cindy Hohl to discuss the crucial role of libraries in fostering a sense of civic responsibility through diverse representation and community engagement.