Home  Luis Herrera

Date: 7/25/03
From: Kathleen Hughes, 312-280-4028
For Immediate Release

Herrera Begins Term as President of the Public Library Association

Luis Herrera, Director of the Information Services Department for the City of Pasadena, officially began his term as president of PLA, with the conclusion of the 2003 ALA Annual Conference in Toronto, Ontario,Canada.

Herrera brings a wealth of experience in librarianship to his position as PLA President-Elect. Prior to assuming his current position in Pasadena, he was the Deputy Director of the San Diego Public Library and has also served in public library management in Long Beach, California and El Paso, Texas. Herrera is also a former middle school librarian.

When asked for plans for his presidency, Herrera remarked, "In its new strategic plan, PLA membership envisions the library card as the most valued card in every wallet. As president, a top priority will be to lead the association in ensuring not only this vision, but to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. This is consistent with my vision of promoting public libraries as innovative and dynamic organizations working in partnership with communities to enhance the quality of life in the 21st Century."

Active in ALA since 1987, Herrera has served on numerous PLA committees as well as been active in several other ALA divisions. During this time, he has also been involved with several other professional groups, having served as president of the California Library Association, and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Service to the Spanish Speaking. He also is active in the Pasadena community and has served on the board of El Centro de Accion Social and the Partners in Education. He currently serves on the board for Young and Healthy and Pacific Oaks College.

Herrera holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Arizona. He also earned a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Long Beach where he received the Future Urban Administrator Award.

For more information, contact the PLA office, 50 East Huron St.,Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA.

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