Lisa Varga Takes Helm of ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office Amid Rising Challenges

Lisa Varga Steps In as ALA’s Next Advocacy Chief

It’s official—Lisa Varga is bringing her firebrand advocacy to Washington. The American Library Association (ALA) just picked her as the new head of its Public Policy and Advocacy Office, starting April 21, 2025. If you follow the world of libraries, Varga’s name rings out. She’s known for defending library workers and users when political tides turn rough, and she’s about to steer ALA’s advocacy in a whole new way.

Varga fills the shoes of Alan Inouye, who’s hanging up his hat after 18 years with the organization—two of those leading this very office. The ALA made the announcement fresh off Inouye’s retirement, signaling they want someone who’s both experienced and quick on their feet. Leslie Burger, who’s handling executive duties at ALA for now, called Varga’s arrival “critical” at a point when libraries are finding themselves right in the middle of culture wars and tech debates.

From Virginia Standout to National Advocate

Before D.C., Varga made waves at the Virginia Library Association. She started back when the group had about 900 members; by her departure, she’d pushed that to more than 5,000. That’s not just about popularity—she made the case for why libraries matter and galvanized professionals across the state. But her real reputation comes from her knack for facing down tough legislation. In the past two years alone, she and her team stopped a barrage of bills—11 in 2023, another four in 2024—that could have censored books or limited the freedom to read in Virginia schools.

Her work didn’t stop at state lines. Varga’s a familiar face at national library events, always pushing for robust public policy and showing up at legislative sessions whenever digital access or privacy was on the table. She’s been part of the ALA for two decades, serving on heavy-hitting committees like the Policy Corps, the Intellectual Freedom Committee, and Chapter Relations. That’s important, especially when so many policies now move fast and hit libraries where it hurts—access to information, freedom from censorship, and the right to a private online experience.

• Varga’s been named Library Journal’s 2024 Librarian of the Year—it’s the kind of recognition that only goes to people who shake things up.
• She’s got a keynote spot lined up for the 2025 GALILEO conference in Georgia, so people will be watching her for cues on where library advocacy is headed.

The Public Policy and Advocacy team at ALA isn’t just about lobbying. They’re the front line when Congress debates internet access, e-books, or privacy laws that could block patrons from digital library resources. Their job: keep information free and open to all, at a time when not everyone agrees libraries should play that role. Varga knows the stakes—from small town book bans to multi-state efforts to rewrite what kids can learn in schools.

As she settles into her new office, planners, library workers, and tech experts alike will be watching. The challenges are big, and Varga’s got a reputation for never backing down from a fight where access to knowledge is on the line.