The Public Library in a Disruptive Age

(Albanese, Andrew) Andrew Albanese is Features Editor at Publishers Weekly. He has covered the publishing and information technology fields since 1999, and has written for numerous publications including Lingua Franca, and Salon.com. Prior to joining Publisher Weekly he was a reporter and editor at Library Journal, and a former editor with Oxford University Press, and Regan Books.

(Kenneally, Christopher) Christopher Kenneally is Director, Business Development at Copyright Clearance Center, where he works with his Business Development colleagues to help the company attract new customers and achieve greater penetration in existing markets. He has forged partnerships with technology providers, professional associations, and media organizations, among others. In addition, Kenneally is host/producer of CCC’s weekly podcast series, Beyond the Book.

(Chrastka, John) EveryLibrary’s founder is John Chrastka, a long-time library trustee, supporter, and advocate.  Mr. Chrastka is a former partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recruitment, conference, and governance activities.  He is a former president and member of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn (IL) Public Library and is a former president of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS) multi-type library system. Prior to his work at AssociaDirect, he was Director for Membership Development at the American Library Association (ALA). He is a member of ALA as well as the Illinois Library Association (ILA), and the American Political Sciences Association (APSA). Chrastka was named a 2014 Mover & Shaker by Library Journal.

Meredith Schwartz, a journalist for twenty years, is Executive Editor of Library Journal, the leading national magazine for library leaders and staff. In addition to her core responsibility—helping librarians across America deliver innovative services to meet the needs of today’s users through in depth articles and live and online training—she has discussed free speech and controversy in libraries on public radio, presented panels on the role of libraries in the community at professional conferences and public-facing events, and serves as a judge of awards for cutting-edge libraries across America.

(Baker, Ray) Ray Baker was appointed Director of the Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) in June 2017, having served as Interim Director since February 2017 and Assistant Director prior to that. As director, Mr. Baker is responsible for the planning and implementation of library services for a 50-branch public library system with a service area of nearly 2.5 million residents. Mr. Baker is currently the vice chair of the Florida Library Association Legislative Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Florida Library Information Network and has been appointed by the Florida Secretary of State to the Library Services and Technology Act Advisory Panel. Mr. Baker has been with Miami-Dade County for 24 years and has a wide range of experience and knowledge of Miami-Dade County government operations. Previously, he served as Chief of Policy, Legislation and Business Services for the County’s Internal Services Department.