Sam Helmick, president-elect of the American Library Association.
In addition to being the 2024–2025 ALA president-elect, Sam is the Community & Access Services Coordinator at Iowa City Public Library. They have served on the ALA Executive Board, as past president of the Iowa Library Association, and as chair of the Iowa Governor’s Commission of Libraries.
First off, how are you feeling post-election? The library landscape looks very different than it did in July when you were named ALA president-elect.
Honestly, I’m feeling determined. The mission of public libraries hasn’t changed—just as it didn’t after 2016, it won’t now.
You’ve faced extreme adversity as a public library advocate in Iowa. How do you see that experience preparing you for the years ahead?
Serving on the ALA Executive Board and as president of the Iowa Library Association, I’ve been deeply involved in both state and national library issues for the past few years. Iowa faced the second-highest number of adverse library bills last year, including one to eliminate all guaranteed state funding for public libraries.
Public libraries have a long history of bolstering the nation during crises. Can we do it again?
Libraries moved this nation through the Great Depression, through both world wars, and through the Cold War. We showed up, we did exactly what libraries are supposed to do, and the public realized how vital we are. Libraries have always been painted as irrelevant until they are recognized and valued in a pinch. We are obviously community anchor institutions. We are pillars of democracy and society. If we’re irrelevant, then why are we in this crucible? After September 11, 2001, it was libraries that opposed the Patriot Act to protect intellectual freedom and privacy protections. Now, if we stick to our core professional standards and values, if we show up and do our jobs, we can face this new landscape head on.
Many librarians are feeling afraid right now. Do you have any guidance on how to face the fear while doing our jobs?
We can frame our way forward in a few ways. First, we must double down on our core services and values. This means ensuring all our actions are rooted in our policies, which are based on the Library Bill of Rights and the First Amendment. By grounding our decisions, statements, and actions in policy and law—not emotion—we can protect ourselves and better explain our choices to the community. That doesn’t make it any less scary, though. Librarians may still face jail time for defending constitutional rights and protecting patrons’ privacy.
But what does that really mean?
It means that when challenges arise, libraries must make it clear that these aren’t just attacks on books, programs, or budgets—they’re attacks on the Constitution. We need to call out those undermining our libraries’ service to the community and expose their true intent. For example, are you banning drag queen story time, or are you trying to ban the First Amendment? We must hold those who undermine our work accountable and put them in the spotlight.
What does that look like?
This is speculative since we don’t know what will happen, but there are still people who support the Constitution. The real challenge is an administration trying to undermine our Constitutional protections. We can hold them accountable, but their voters are our real audience. When we lost funding in Iowa, I framed it as government overreach: “You want to limit government, so why push to close libraries?” That got their attention. And leaders started funding efforts to unseat those attacking our library funding and local control.
Data is key here. Will closing libraries lower your taxes? What does closing the library get you on a personal or community level if there is no money going into anyone’s pocket? If you’re not getting a tax break, what’s really going on? We used ALA data showing that for every $1 invested in public libraries, there’s a $9 return. That’s an incredible rate of return. Many fiscal conservatives don’t get it. A $9 ROI doesn’t mean a tax break, so why does it mean fewer libraries open after 3 p.m.? We have to show that closing libraries is a self-defeating choice.
So, use the power of information to counter misinformation?
Yes. We need to focus more on messaging. Many people feel disenfranchised and are buying into a powerless narrative, believing voting for Trump meant that they reclaimed their power. But true power comes from telling elected officials that they work for you. True enfranchisement is taking action to serve, speak, and lead on matters relevant to you.
That’s a big shift from how the ALA has dealt with cultural challenges in the past.
The ALA’s approach to cultural challenges has shifted significantly. In the past, it has struggled to define its role and communicate effectively with both members and the public. Here’s my controversial take: the current progressive messaging isn’t working. We need to be blunt about this to stay focused on material questions: how do we support funding for libraries? How do we stop votes for those trying to shut libraries down? This is a class war disguised exclusively as a culture war, aiming to dismantle publicly funded institutions. We need to meet our opponents where they are and demonstrate how these issues impact them locally. There’s a difference between issuing press releases or statements and taking specific, actionable steps directed by the communities that libraries serve.
Agreed. I can’t help but think that this will come with some pain at the hyper-local community level.
Yes. As public servants, we’ve always worked to support our communities, but now we may have to let them experience the consequences of their choices—and that’s going to be hard. As library professionals, we know our communities, but we also need to reflect the reality back to them. If you vote for those dismantling publicly funded institutions, don’t be surprised when your library is closed on Saturdays. If you need help finding a job or citizenship, but the library is shut, that’s the reality. It will be tough, but we must let them feel the impact of their choices. Libraries are already stretched unsustainably thin.
OK, after that shock, how can libraries better communicate their value?
We need to stop playing defense and start flooding public discourse with positive stories. It’s time to show off. If you Google a state and the word “library,” the results need to be full of good-news stories about programs, successes, the good we do. As a humble, hard-working profession, this isn’t easy, but we must step into the spotlight and showcase the value we bring. Why? Telling these stories creates cognitive dissonance with the misinformation and hate out there. When politicians or groups label us as groomers or criticize us for providing access to all information, these positive stories create a counter-narrative. This is how we fight back—it’s a war of stories. Other countries, like Australia, the U.K., Canada, and France, are using this approach successfully.
What can you tell MLIS students right now who are facing a sea change in their chosen field?
It’s crucial to be honest with students about the current situation. All MLIS students are heroes—right now, you’re running into burning buildings. As Fred Rogers said, look for the helpers, and you are the helpers. I admire you.
I believe in three key approaches: self-care, library community, and network-building. The care you give to others must also be given to yourself and your colleagues. We need to let go of vocational awe—it’s not sustainable. We can’t give our whole selves away; we need to keep something for ourselves. Put your oxygen mask on first. Also, build your library network relentlessly. Collaborate with every librarian you know and connect through spaces like Library Futures and the Library Freedom Project. Hustle hard. This is how we engage, organize, and activate our communities of support. I wish I’d known this when I was in grad school.