Vickery Bowles

Toronto Public Library city librarian Vickery Bowles has been appointed executive board chair of the Urban Libraries Council for 2019–2020. The Washington, DC–based advocacy organization represents more than 150 major library systems across North America.

In a letter posted on the ULC’s website, Bowles – who also served as the council’s vice-president – writes about the challenges facing libraries:

As library leaders, we have important work to do. Now more than ever, I believe we need to stand up, we need to work together to put our own spotlight on the issues challenging our core beliefs and values. Nowadays this means we need to stand up for journalists and a free press; we need to advocate for better oversight and regulation of big data companies; and for fair e-content pricing and licensing from big name publishers.