Washington, DC — The Urban Libraries Council is proud to announce its new Board of Directors for 2026-2027, elected and confirmed during ULC’s recent Annual Business Meeting. ULC’s Board provides strategic oversight, industry perspective, and vision that guides the continued evolution of the organization.

“Our Board sits at the heart of our organization, leveraging the combined insights of library veterans and changemakers from many different fields to help us continuously innovate on behalf of public libraries,” said ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater. “More than ever, urban libraries need a strong collective vision to meet the needs of the future. We’re thrilled to build off the momentum and leadership of the previous Board with this year’s slate.”

The ULC Board is composed of member library directors, trustees of libraries and/or library foundations and members of the public who are civic, business, government, or philanthropic leaders.

Four Board officers were elected by the ULC membership, including:

• Heidi Daniel (Executive Director, King County Library System) — Board Chair
• Brian Bannon (Merryl and James Tisch Director, New York Public Library) – Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
• Joey Crawford (Chair, Broward Public Library Foundation and Senior Media Consultant, Cox Media Group Miami) — Immediate Past Chair
• Catherine Strauss (Board Member, Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees and Managing Partner, Ice Miller LLP) — Secretary/Treasurer

“Bringing King County’s unique voice and perspective to the national conversation about how libraries meet the needs of our communities is an exciting opportunity for which I’m extremely honored to have,” said Heidi Daniel, executive director of King County Library System and incoming ULC Board Chair.“The Urban Libraries Council is a valuable partner and connector, bringing together the largest library systems in the country to share resources, insights, and a collective voice for the invaluable services we provide across the county.”

ULC members also elected one new Board member and reelected three returning Board members, all of whom will serve two-year terms.

• Edward Melton (Library Director, Harris County Public Library)— First Term
• Andrew Trueblood (Senior Advisor for Economic Development, America Achieves; Nonresident Fellow, Urban Institute; and Board Member, DC Public Library) — Second Term
• Heidi Daniel (Executive Director, King County Library System) — Third Term
• Grace Nordhoff (Philanthropist and Emeritus Board, The Seattle Public Library Foundation) — Third Term

Biographical information about the ULC Board officers and members can be found at urbanlibraries.org/about/executive-board.