Drabinski's Career and Leadership in Modern Librarianship
The landscape of modern librarianship is often a intersection of information science, social advocacy, and educational reform. Few figures embody this intersection as prominently as Drabinski, a seasoned academic librarian and the President of the American Library Association (ALA). From early roots in grassroots activism to leading the largest professional organization for library workers in the United States, Drabinski's career reflects a commitment to critical pedagogy—a teaching approach that encourages students to critique power structures and challenge oppression.
Key Facts
- Current Role: President of the American Library Association (2023-24 term) and Associate Professor at Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies.
- Academic Focus: Specializes in queer theory, library instruction, and cataloging practices.
- Leadership History: Served as interim chief at the CUNY Graduate Center library starting in March 2020.
- Advocacy: Early member of Radical Reference and a strong proponent of labor unions and collective power.
- Election Victory: Won the 2022 ALA presidential election with 5,410 votes.
Professional Evolution and Academic Career
Drabinski began her professional journey as an academic reference librarian at Sarah Lawrence College from 2004 to 2008. During this period, she was an early member of Radical Reference, an organization where she conducted fact-checking workshops for independent journalists and participated in protests, including the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.
Between 2008 and 2019, Drabinski held several key roles at Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn, serving as an electronic resources and instruction librarian and later as the coordinator of library instruction. Her tenure at LIU was marked by active labor participation; she joined a faculty strike in 2011 and served as the secretary of the faculty federation in 2016, protesting a lockout during contract negotiations. These experiences deeply informed her views on the importance of collective power and shared governance within academic institutions.
In 2019, Drabinski joined the CUNY Graduate Center as a critical pedagogy librarian. Her leadership capabilities were further recognized in March 2020 when she became the interim chief of the Graduate City library, a role she held until July 2022. Additionally, she has contributed to the academic community as a faculty member at Syracuse University's MSLIS program (2017-2020) and as an adjunct professor at UCLA and Rutgers University.
Contributions to Information Studies
Beyond administration, Drabinski is a prolific scholar and editor. She co-chaired a colloquium on gender and sexuality in information studies in 2016 and edited a corresponding series for Library Juice Press. She also co-edited Critical Library Instruction: Theories & Methods alongside Alana Kumbier and Maria T. Accardi.
Her research specifically examines the limitations of current library classification systems. Drabinski argues that traditional cataloging often lacks the flexibility to accommodate queer identity terms, which evolve more rapidly than the fixed language used in standard classifications. Furthermore, she has collaborated with scholar Deborah Rabina to research reference services specifically for incarcerated individuals.
Currently, she serves on the editorial board of Radical Teacher and has taught reference librarianship at the Pratt School of Information.
Presidency of the American Library Association
In October 2021, the American Library Association announced Drabinski's candidacy for president. Having previously served as a councillor-at-large and chair of the International Relations Committee, she campaigned on a platform of solidarity, labor rights, and addressing the maldistribution of wealth in society.
On April 13, 2022, the ALA announced that Drabinski had won the election, receiving 5,410 votes compared to 4,622 for Kelvin Watson. She officially began her tenure as president in July 2023.
Strategic Goals and Vision
As president, Drabinski has emphasized the need for the ALA to build collective power to preserve the public good. Her stated priorities include:
- Preparing libraries for the consequences of climate change.
- Ensuring diverse and inclusive collections.
- Providing legal support for libraries.
- Encouraging supporters of intellectual freedom to run for school and library boards.
- Hosting an intellectual freedom summit in Washington, D.C. (January 2024).
Political Controversy and Response
Following her election, Drabinski's self-description as a "Marxist lesbian" in a tweet led to significant political backlash. This resulted in the Montana State Library Commission voting 5-1-1 to withdraw from the ALA in July 2023. While the Montana Library Association expressed regret over the decision, Drabinski characterized these attacks as organized pro-censorship efforts intended to weaken public institutions.
She has maintained that while her personal identity and beliefs are important to her, her personal agenda does not drive the association's organizational goals, which remain focused on supporting library workers and patrons nationwide.
Career Summary
| Period | Organization/Institution | Role/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2008 | Sarah Lawrence College | Academic Reference Librarian |
| 2008–2019 | Long Island University Brooklyn | Instruction Librarian & Coordinator |
| 2019–Present | CUNY Graduate Center | Critical Pedagogy Librarian / Interim Chief |
| 2023–2024 | American Library Association | President |
| Fall 2023 | Queens College | Associate Professor |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Drabinski's primary research focus?
Drabinski focuses on queer theory, library instruction, and cataloging practices, specifically examining how fixed classification languages fail to keep pace with evolving queer identity terms.
How did Drabinski become the President of the ALA?
She ran for office in 2021 and won the election on April 13, 2022, receiving 5,410 votes. She officially assumed the presidency in July 2023.
What are the main goals of her ALA presidency?
Her goals include tackling climate change consequences for libraries, diversifying collections, supporting intellectual freedom, and strengthening the collective power of library workers.
Why did the Montana State Library Commission withdraw from the ALA?
The commission voted to withdraw in July 2023, citing objections to Drabinski's political beliefs following her public identification as a Marxist lesbian.
What is Drabinski's stance on labor unions?
Drabinski is a strong supporter of labor unions, having participated in strikes and faculty federation leadership, and she believes the ALA should publicly side with labor and union organizing.