Welcoming Hickson, Kemper, Markus, and Tikiwala to the ELI Board of Directors

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of four exceptional individuals to the EveryLibrary Institute Board of Directors. These distinguished professionals bring a wealth of experience, passion, and expertise to our organization, further strengthening our commitment to advocating for libraries and enhancing public access to information.

At the EveryLibrary Institute, our mission is to strengthen public support for library funding and ensure that every community has access to high-quality library services. We believe that libraries play a crucial role in fostering literacy, lifelong learning, and civic engagement, serving as hubs of knowledge and community connection. Through advocacy, outreach, and education, we work tirelessly to empower library supporters, engage decision-makers, and secure funding to sustain and expand library services nationwide. 

Martha Hickson
Martha Hickson is a school librarian at North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, New Jersey. She is recognized for her advocacy for intellectual freedom and her efforts to combat censorship, including the 2022 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity and the 2023 Librarian of the Year by the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA), for her inspiration to both marginalized teens and her peers in the library community. Prior to moving to schools, she was previously a Youth Services Librarian at Somerset County Library. She holds a Master of Library Science with a focus on Educational Media from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rutgers University.

Crosby Kemper
Crosby Kemper III, a notable figure in the library and museum sectors, has had a distinguished career marked by leadership and advocacy. He served as the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) from January 2020 to March 2024, where he oversaw federal support for libraries and museums across the United States. Before his tenure at IMLS, Kemper was the Director of the Kansas City Public Library in Missouri, a position he held since 2005. Under his leadership, the library became renowned for its extensive community engagement and innovative programming. He has been a prominent advocate for freedom of information and intellectual discourse, often participating in public debates and discussions. His contributions to the library field and his vision for enhancing public access to information are widely recognized. 

Parth Tikiwala
Parth Tikiwala has a robust career in government and policy roles, emphasizing technology modernization and data-driven strategies. He currently serves as the Head of Public Sector Strategy and the Global Academic Program at the Nemetschek Group and Head of Government and Academic Affairs for Bluebeam, Inc. Before this, he was most recently Acting Director of Technology Modernization and Data, and was deeply involved in government operations at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Previously, he worked at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration as a Data Management Analyst and at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. His academic background includes an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, where he was a John F. Kennedy Fellow, a Master of Arts in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University, and a BS with honors in Economics from Michigan State University.

Jamie Markus
Jamie Markus recently transitioned from his role as the State Librarian of Wyoming, a position he held for seven years, to a new role at the University of Wyoming Libraries, where he is the Assistant Dean of Resource Discovery & Management. During his tenure as State Librarian, Markus significantly contributed to the advancement of library services in Wyoming, including enhancing digital services and managing significant federal funding projects. He has been recognized nationally for his contributions to the library community, receiving awards such as the White House Champion of Change in 2014. Markus is also actively involved in leadership roles within library associations, including serving as the President of the Western Council of State Libraries. He holds a Master's in Library Science from Indiana University and a BS in Liberal Studies from Montana State University Billings.

As they join us, we also want to mark that Erica Findley, one of our co-founders and the long-time Treasurer, is rolling off the board. Erica has been instrumental in helping the EveryLibrary Institute move so quickly from being a good idea into an effective and well-respected organization. She has devoted countless hours to building the infrastructure and financial health of the organization. We will always be grateful for her partnership. 

Please join us in warmly welcoming Martha Hickson, Crosby Kemper, Parth Tikiwala, and Jamie Markus as they begin this new role with us. With their professional insights and dedication, we are confident they will play important roles in advancing our mission and positively impacting libraries nationwide.