Washington, DC - The Urban Libraries Council is proud to announce that Sarah Meilleur, CEO of the Calgary Public Library in Alberta, Canada, has joined its Board of Directors.

“Sarah has repeatedly shown how library leaders can be innovative and future-looking while remaining responsive to their communities and systems,” said Brooks Rainwater, President & CEO of the Urban Libraries Council. “ULC is delighted to have the leader of one of North America’s most impactful libraries join our board to help guide our own work.”

“Sarah has been a valued colleague to the north for many years, and I’m excited for her to bring her passion, curiosity, and vision to help create a stronger ULC,” said Heidi Daniel, Executive Director for King County Library System in Washington state and Chair of ULC’s 2026-27 Board of Directors. “I look forward to partnering with her to help the organization continue to grow and responsively serve its nearly 200 library leaders.”

"I'm honored and excited to be joining this group of thoughtful and committed leaders on the ULC Board," said Sarah Meilleur, CEO, Calgary Public Library. "ULC's work in advocacy, research, capacity building, and innovation is inspiring. I'm looking forward to bringing a Canadian perspective to this important work because the learnings, outcomes, and collaboration will directly impact and elevate how libraries across North America support their communities."

Meilleur is a recognized speaker at international conferences, has authored numerous journal articles, and has lectured at Harvard University on library design. She also led the design thinking, completion and launch of Calgary's award-winning new Central Library. Sarah believes in supporting the community through volunteering and has served as the vice-chair for the Calgary Heritage Authority, on the Cultural Leadership Council and the Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee. She received Avenue Magazine's Top 40 under 40 award in 2011 and was a recipient of Queen Elizabeth ll's Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for outstanding service to family, community, and country.