Welcome!

COSLA's Mission is to nurture state library administrative agencies, and lead with a collective voice for the nation’s libraries.

COSLA is an independent organization of the chief officers of state and territorial agencies designated as the state library administrative agency and responsible for statewide library development. 

Its membership consists solely of these top library officers of the states and territories, variously designated as state librarian, director, commissioner or executive secretary. It provides a continuing mechanism for dealing with the problems and challenges faced by the heads of the state agencies which are responsible for statewide library development. Learn more about COSLA by clicking here.

Who are State Librarians?

COSLA's membership consists solely of these top library officers of the states and territories, variously designated as state librarian, director, commissioner, or executive secretary. State Librarians are responsible for the development of libraries and library services in their states. Click the map below for contact information for your state's Chief Officer.



Click Here to View COSLA's Member Directory

The Benefits of a COSLA Sponsorship

  • Interact with the 53 Chief Officers of respective State and Territory Library Agencies with reach into every public library in America.
    These key leaders have final decision authority on over half a billion dollars in library industry spending annually.

  • Weigh in on national library issues such as broadband, community development, diversity, ebooks, library programs, benchmarking, and more.

  • Private partners are viewed as solution providers and subject matter experts in their respective areas. Share your services and products to decision makers within their state.

Sponsorship with COSLA is a relationship!

Click Here to Learn More About a COSLA Sponsorship
 

COSLA Events|2023

COSLA Annual Fall Conference and 50th Anniversary Celebration!

COSLA turned 50 this year!
The Annual Fall Conference was held Sunday, October 29 - Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in Newport, Rhode Island. We were joined by 46 Chief officers along with 16 past Chiefs for the 50th Anniversary Gala celebration at Ochre Court.

COSLA Past Events|Spring Fly-In

Pictured on Page Two (Left to Right): 
Row One: Holly Henley, AZ; Jennifer Chilcoat, AR; Irene Padilla, MD; Karen Mellor, RI; Stacey Aldrich, HI; Nicolle Davies, CO; Kate Alderete (Deputy), NM.Row Two: Dr. Darrell Williams, WI; Annie Norman, DE; Greg Lucas, CA; Mary Soucie, ND; Hulen Bivins, MS; Julie Walker, GA; Randy Riley, MI; Leesa Aiken, SC; Lori Fisher, ME; Sara Jones, WA; Jamie Ritter, TN; Michael Scott, IA; Rod Wagner, NE; Wendy Knapp, OHMissing from Photo: Natalie Currie, OK; Michelle Underhill, NC