Sarah Lester, director of the Maplewood Memorial Library, has been elected vice president/president-elect of the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA), the state’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to library advocacy and public literacy.
Lester officially assumed her position on the NJLA’s 2026–2027 Executive Board on July 1. Following her one-year term as vice president, she will assume the presidency of the statewide association in 2027.
Over 30 years of dedicated public service
Bringing more than three decades of public library experience to the statewide role, Lester has served as the Director of Maplewood Memorial Library since 2012. Throughout her career, she has been a advocate for literacy, public space accessibility, and environmental stewardship.
Recently, Lester represented Maplewood Memorial Library at the first joint conference of the NJLA and the New Jersey Association of School Librarians in Atlantic City, where she presented on sustainable library practices and community-focused public initiatives.
Spearheading model sustainable infrastructure
Lester’s election follows her leadership in guiding Maplewood Memorial Library through a historic $24 million transformation project.
Reopening its doors in July 2025, the reimagined, state-of-the-art facility was built as a civic hub to foster inclusive programming, expand equitable access, and strengthen community partnerships. The library made history by becoming the first public library in New Jersey to earn designation as a Certified Sustainable Library through the Sustainable Library Certification Program.
Advancing public library advocacy statewide
In her leadership position on the NJLA Executive Board, Lester will help steer strategic initiatives that support public library staff, safeguard intellectual freedom, and expand equitable information access across New Jersey.
“I look forward to advancing the association’s strategic goals and core values on behalf of libraries across New Jersey,” Lester said. “NJLA advocates for library services across the state, provides professional development, and supports intellectual freedom and equitable access to information. At a time when public spaces are more essential than ever, I am honored to support our state’s incredible library workforce and help shape the future of New Jersey libraries.”
