Julius C. Jefferson Jr.

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Julius C. Jefferson Jr.
Julius Jefferson Profile.jpg
President of the American Library Association
In office
2020–2021
Preceded byWanda Kay Brown
Succeeded byPatty Wong
President of the Freedom to Read Foundation
In office
2013–2016
Preceded byCandace D. Morgan
Succeeded byMartin Garnar
Personal details
Born (1968-07-22) July 22, 1968 (age 53)
United States
Education
OccupationLibrarian

Julius C. Jefferson Jr. (born July 22, 1968) is an American librarian who was president of the American Library Association for the 2020-2021 term.[1][2][3] Jefferson is additionally a section head of the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress,[4] and has formerly served as the president of the Freedom to Read Foundation between 2013 and 2016.

Jefferson was born in Washington, D.C. as the 4th generation in a family. His father worked as an archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration, and his mother was a technical specialist at the ALA. He originally dreamed of being a drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire, but credits his inspiration of working in libraries to Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, and claimed to become a bibliophile.[5]

Jefferson received a B.A. in history from Howard University and an MLS from the University of Maryland.[4] He has served on the Executive Board (2007–2009) and is a member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. He served as president of the Freedom to Read Foundation and president of the District of Columbia Library Association.[6][7]

Jefferson has held many positions in the American Library Association. He has served on its Executive Board and Council.[8] As chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the American Library Association Jefferson initiated Intellectual Freedom Summer School.[9] In 2019 he was honored with the ALA Equality Award (with Lorelle R. Swader) for his commitment to diversity and inclusion with a focus on the rights of underrepresented library workers.[10]

He is co-editor of the 2012 volume, The 21st-Century Black Librarian in America: Issues and Challenges, and has worked to get more Black men into the library profession.[11][12]

References[]

  1. ^ MMORALES (2020-06-09). "ALA President-Elect Julius C. Jefferson, Jr. invites members to attend free Virtual Inauguration". News and Press Center. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  2. ^ RGERBER (2012-11-08). "President's Page". About ALA. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  3. ^ Julius C. Jefferson Wins 2020-2021 ALA Presidency. Publishers' Weekly April 12, 2019.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Alumnus Julius C. Jefferson Jr. (BA 2003) Howard University.
  5. ^ "About Julius". JULIUS C. JEFFERSON JR. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  6. ^ "Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., former DCLA president (2015-16), seeks 2020-21 ALA presidency!". District of Columbia Library Association. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  7. ^ BCALA Endorses Julius C. Jefferson for ALA President 2020-2021. Black Caucus of the American Library Association.
  8. ^ Meet the Candidates for ALA President: Julius C. Jefferson Jr. American Libraries March 1, 2019.
  9. ^ “IFC Report to ALA Council.” 2011. Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom 60 (5): 166–98.
  10. ^ Jefferson Jr. and Swader win the 2019 ALA Equality Award ALA News, 5/21/2019.
  11. ^ Jackson, Andrew P., Julius Jefferson, and Akilah Nosakhere. The 21st-Century Black Librarian in America: Issues and Challenges. Rowman, 2012.
  12. ^ "'Endangered Species': Black Male Librarian". NPR.org. 2008-06-27. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
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