ALA Council

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is set to confer an honorary lifetime membership upon publishing executive and library advocate Skip Dye for his longstanding support to America's libraries and to intellectual freedom.

Dye is the Senior Vice President, Library Sales and Digital Strategy, and Senior Vice President, Sales Operations at Penguin Random House (PRH). He has been with PRH for 29 years.

At PRH, Dye advocates for libraries, authors and readers in addition to being a fierce advocate for the freedom to read. He heads PRH's Intellectual Freedom Task Force, which focuses on public awareness, author education, employee support and legal action against state laws that attempt to censor books. Dye has spoken at national and state library conferences and conventions about e-content and how to work with libraries.

As an ALA member, Dye has dedicated much of his time to participating in the association's divisions, committees and task forces. In 2016, Dye joined the board for United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations, a division of ALA that supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries. He was president of United in 2017-18. He also chaired United's Intellectual Freedom, Advocacy, & Public Policy Committee for three years and continues to serve and develop tools and training for trustees.

Dye co-chaired the ALA Rebranding Project, a task aimed at increasing ALA's visibility beyond the library sector and to attract library supporters and advocates. He now serves as the chair of the ALA Public Partner Steering Committee, which has supported a new public supporter program.

"Dye continues to be a dedicated and impactful leader in the library community and has stayed true to ALA's mission ensuring access to information for all," ALA President Cindy Hohl said.

ALA is slated to officially confer the honorary membership upon Dye this June during its Annual Conference in Philadelphia.

An honorary member must be recommended by the ALA Executive Board and elected by the ALA Council. It is the highest honor given by the association and conferred upon a living person whose outstanding contributions have made a lasting impact on librarianship, libraries, and the communities they serve.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.