Leslie B. Burger is the interim Executive Director of the American Library Association.[1] She is an American librarian who served for sixteen years as the executive director of the Princeton Public Library.[2] She was president of the American Library Association from 2006 to 2007.[2]
Leslie Burger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of the American Library Association | |
| In office 2006–2007 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Gorman |
| Succeeded by | Loriene Roy |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Librarian |
Education and career
editAfter growing up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Burger obtained a Bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut State College in 1973, a Master of Library Science from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1974, and a master's in organizational behavior from the University of Hartford in 1988.[3][4][5] Burger held a number of positions in planning and library development, including at the Bridgeport Public Library, the Connecticut State Library and the New Jersey State Library.[3]
From 1999 to 2015, Burger was the executive director of the Princeton Public Library, where she led the library in the design, construction, and opening of a new building as well as development efforts resulting in more than $25 million in private funding.[2][5]
Along with her husband Alan, Burger is the founder and owner of Library Development Solutions, a consulting firm where she provides guidance to libraries on strategic planning, space-assessments, building programs, and program evaluation and implementation.[2][3] She also works as a part time lecturer at the Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, where she designed and teaches a course on transformative library leadership.[6]
American Library Association
editIn 2023 Burger was appointed interim Executive Director of the American Library Association.[7]
Burger served as president of the American Library Association from 2006 to 2007, concentrating her efforts on initiatives focused on how libraries need to transform to serve their communities.[8]
As president Burger represented ALA in challenging the Federal Bureau of Investigation over the access to patron records enabled by the USA PATRIOT Act.[9][10] She also testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on the issue of closing Environmental Protection Agency libraries.[11]
During her presidency she launched the organization's "Emerging Leaders" program,[12] dedicated to providing leadership opportunities to new library professionals.[13][14]
Library leadership and recognition
editBurger was president of the Connecticut Library Association in 1982[15] and president of the New Jersey Library Association from 2001 to 2002.[16]
She was named the University of Maryland College of Information Studies Alumnus of the Year in 2005.[3]
The New Jersey Library Association named Burger their 2017 Librarian of the Year.[6]
References
edit- ^ ALA appoints Leslie Burger as Interim Executive Director American Library Association, November 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Levin, Anne. "Princeton Public Library Director Leslie Burger Stepping Down". Princeton Magazine. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Alumnus of the Year 2005: Leslie Burger". University of Maryland. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Women in Business: Leslie Burger". U.S. 1. 2 February 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Leslie Burger". LinkedIn. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Part-Time Lecturer Leslie Burger Receives Librarian of the Year Award From NJLA". Rutgers School of Communication and Information. 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ ALA Names Leslie Burger as Interim Executive Director. American Libraries. November 15, 2023.
- ^ "Who We Are". Library Development. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ Cowan, Alison Leigh (31 May 2006). "Four Librarians Finally Break Silence in Records Case". New York Times. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ Foster, Andrea (2 May 2007). "Libraries Renew Push Against Secret Orders". Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ Burger, Leslie. 2007. “ALA President Testifies on EPA Library Closings.” Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom 56 (3): 88–131.
- ^ ALA Emerging Leaders Program. American Library Association.
- ^ Burger, Leslie. 2006. “Transforming Leadership.” American Libraries 37 (2): 3.
- ^ Morehart, Phil (May 2018). "Emerging Leaders 2018". American Libraries. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "Past Presidents". Connecticut Library Association. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "Former NJLA Presidents". New Jersey Library Association. Retrieved 18 November 2018.