ResolutionEmily Sheketoff

Whereas, Emily Sheketoff was appointed Executive Director of the American Library Association Washington Office in September 1999; and

Whereas, Emily attended her first COSLA meeting in October, 1999 in Indianapolis, Indiana; and

Whereas, over the subsequent years, Emily forged a strong and open relationship with COSLA becoming an invaluable partner in COSLA’s advocacy work, and

Whereas, Emily is admired by the Chief Officers for being rock solid, politically savvy, skilled, effective, and a true champion for libraries; and

Whereas, Emily, who often reminded us “when I was in the Clinton administration,” has taken the time to talk with Chief Officers to better understand state library agencies; and

Whereas, the Chief Officers have always received timely, realistic situational assessments from Emily, often delivered in very colorful language, but always focused on what was possible with never a hint of defeatism; and

Whereas, Emily never let us off the hook, often personally calling Chief Officers extolling them to call their “ freakin” senators or congressmen when immediate action was needed; and

Whereas, he Washington Office has grown over the years under Emily’s leadership to cover a range of legislative and policy issues, especially with E-rate, broadband, and other technology issues: and

Whereas, Emily has worked closely with COSLA to advance LSTA, collaborating on the 2003 reauthorization which resulted in doubling the base grants for the grants to tates, and again on the 2010 reauthorization which included the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant program; and

Whereas, Emily Sheketoff has decided to retire as the Executive Director of the American Library association on May 2 after 17 years of service;

Now Therefor, Be It Resolved that the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to Emily Sheketoff for her dedicated service on behalf of State Library Agencies and the nation’s libraries and extends its sincere wishes for many fulfilling, pleasurable, and healthy retirement years.

Emily's Resolution.indd 1 4/25/2017 2:08:29 PM