 NYLA Council and Unit ElectionVOTE HEREThe NYLA Elections run from June 2 to June 16, 2026. To vote in this election, you must be an active NYLA Member. If you need to join or renew you may do so here. Please note that NYLA Unit Elections will run concurrently with the NYLA Council Elections. You must be a member of the NYLA Unit to vote in their election. All NYLA Elections you are eligible to vote in will appear on your NYLA profile. You can view the NYLA Unit Candidates here.
NYLA President-ElectRyan PerryExecutive DirectorCentral NY Library Resource Council
Hi, I'm Ryan Perry, Executive Director of the Central New York Library Resources Council. I'm excited to be running for President of the New York Library Association. NYLA coalesces a powerful community of librarians of all types, from every corner of the state. I've been an active member of this community since joining the Board of the Academic & Special Libraries Section in 2016. Additionally, I've served a cumulative four years as a member of NYLA Council. I've seen how the NYLA community can be a powerful agent of change--from professional and personal empowerment to our legislative successes. If elected, I would use my platform to focus on community building and sharing of ideas across different types of librarianship. We have so much to learn from each other and this will make for an even stronger community. NYLA Councilor-at-Large (Public)JOanna GoldfarbSustainability Innovation ConsultantRamapo Catskill Library System
Working in public libraries has been a rewarding adventure that has allowed me to serve communities I care about. My experience ranges from Page at the (formerly) Mid-Manhattan branch of NYPL, Youth Services Librarian in my home-town library, to a Teen Librarian, to Youth Services Consultant, and currently the Sustainability Innovation Consultant at the Ramapo Catskill Library System. A career highlight was the opportunity to serve on the 2023 Caldecott Committee. I have taken my experience working with youth into my current role by guiding libraries through sustainable practices and concepts, emphasizing meeting staff where they are and working at a maintainable pace. NYLA membership has been beneficial to my career by providing opportunities to learn from others, share my own knowledge, and networking throughout the state. I am confident in my abilities to represent public libraries as Councilor-at-Large and hope to give back to the community that has done so much for me.
James RichesonYouth & Parent Services Librarian  I’ve come to depend on and appreciate the breadth of services and resources NYLA offers. Having been there for me as a reliable resource, I’d like to give back and show up for NYLA and their support of New York Public Libraries and their communities. Partnerships, outreach, and general advocacy have been something of a passion of mine, whether that’s communicating new ideas or data through NYLA Voice, or working with local schools to develop program action plans for student-patrons; Having learned much from the wonderful people and diverse community I serve, I believe my experiences can add to NYLA’s mission and culture, helping make it that much more impactful. Thank you for your consideration.Tracey L. WehkingDirector of Patron ServicesNew York Public Library
NYLA Councilor-at-Large (School)Katie BertrandDirector of Library, Media Services and the ArtsMonroe One BOCES School Library System Annesley GersztoffSchool Library System DirectorCapital Region BOCES
Becky LeathersichChair of the Graduate in Library Media Specialist Program St. John Fisher University
I am honored to be nominated for the role of Councilor-at-Large for Schools. With experience and leadership in school and academic libraries, as well as library education, I am uniquely positioned to contribute to NYLA’s mission to lead, educate, and advocate for the New York library community. I have had the joy of contributing to NYLA as an At-Large Member for the Continuing Education Committee and to NYLA/SSL as the Academic Liaison. As Councilor-at-Large, I am excited by the opportunity to serve as a liaison between the school library community and Council, and strengthen the profession during a critical time in our democracy.
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I have been a member of NYLA for over 10 years throughout my time working in public libraries. My involvement in the organization has ranged from being an active member of YSS and Chair of the Empire State Award Committee to presenting at several NYLA conferences.
I want NYPL to have more of a presence in NYLA and to help other public libraries across New York be the absolute best resource for all New Yorkers. As public libraries continue to face obstacles coming from all directions, it is imperative that we band together and fight for access, intellectual freedom, and push back against unfair practices.
I have been a school librarian for over 20 years, with 13 years in schools, and over 6 years in my current role as School Library System Director. Throughout my career, I have seen the impact of the New York Library Association’s work on our profession as a whole. I strongly believe that the continued growth of our profession is only possible through partnerships of all kinds of libraries, and the New York Library Association is best positioned to build those relationships. I want to be more involved with NYLA because I have found that the more conversations we have as professionals across library types, the more commonalities we find. In a world where freedom of information is at risk, we need to stand together to protect our democracy. I understand that may sound extreme to some, but without the free exchange of information and community supports provided by all types of libraries, our democracy is weakened. I believe I would contribute an important perspective to NYLA, and would be able to bring more resources directly to the many school librarians with whom I work.