Welcoming Sonya Durney as Director for Education Initiatives at the EveryLibrary Institute
The EveryLibrary Institute is happy to announce that Sonya Durney is joining our team as Director for Education Initiatives. In this role, she will lead the design and delivery of education, training, and professional development programs that strengthen advocacy capacity across the library field.
Her portfolio focused on developing curricula and programming for library leaders and advocates, supporting capacity-building and leadership development across the sector, and building resources that help the field better navigate challenges around funding, access, and governance. Sonya will work with librarians, library boards, and allied organizations to expand their policy savvy, sharpen their communications strategies, and build the skills necessary to increase impact in their communities.
Sonya is a passionate advocate for libraries, open education, and equitable access to information. She currently serves as Scholarly Communication Librarian at the University of New England and is Past President of the Maine Library Association. In addition, she contributes her expertise through the Maine Library Association’s Legislative Committee, the American Library Association Policy Corps, and the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition. Sonya holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy with a concentration in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service, a Master of Library and Information Science from Simmons College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Framingham State University. Her research focuses on the intersection of information access, public policy, and the political self-efficacy of library workers. Among her many academic credentials, we have been proud to publish her in two issues of The Political Librarian, our open education professional journal.
“Sonya brings an extraordinary blend of practical experience, scholarship, and passion for systems of advocacy to the EveryLibrary Institute," says John Chrastka, Executive Director, EveryLibrary Institute. "Her leadership will help us expand the impact of our training and development programs for library professionals, library leaders, and library support organizations nationwide. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team and know she will make an extraordinary contribution to our mission.”
As a 501(c)(3) public policy organization, the EveryLibrary Institute is dedicated to research, education, and training that empower libraries and their advocates. Over the past seven years, we have worked to provide librarians, boards, and allies with the tools they need to defend access, secure funding, and strengthen communities. Sonya’s expertise and vision dovetail perfectly with our mission and values, positioning us to deliver innovative education initiatives that will expand the field’s capacity to act with confidence, strategy, and impact.