2020 Fall Membership Meeting

Nov 05, 2020 10:00am -
Nov 05, 2020 12:00pm

Event Type: Meeting

Speaker Information

About Jamie LaRue

Jamie LaRue has appeared on National Public Radio, been quoted and highlighted in newspapers (the Denver Post, New York Times, the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal), magazines (Forbes, Governing), and has hosted an author interview cable TV program. A newspaper columnist for over two decades, he also wrote The New Inquisition: Understanding and Managing Intellectual Freedom Challenges (Libraries Unlimited, 2007). A frequent presenter for library associations, regional workshops, and library staff days, Jamie has also served as a facilitator, last-minute panelist, moderator, and master of ceremonies for everything from debates to awards dinners.

From 1990 to 2014, he was director of the Douglas County (Colorado) Libraries, widely known as one of the most successful and innovative public libraries in the nation. Awards include:

  • Colorado Librarian of the Year (1998)
  • Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce's Business Person of the Year (2003)
  • Julie J. Boucher (boo-SHAY) Award for Intellectual Freedom (2007)
  • Renaming of the Highlands Ranch Library (Douglas County, CO) to the James H. LaRue Library (2013)
  • Colorado Association of Libraries' Career Achievement Award (2013).

In 2014, he embarked on a career of writing, speaking, teaching, and consulting. From January 2016-November 2018, LaRue was Executive Director of both the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, and the Freedom to Read Foundation. In 2019, he returned to independent consulting

Keynote: Getting to Vision

Is it back to business as usual, or time for bold new action? Does the compelling story of tomorrow come from a single leader? Should it? As we observe the head spinning events of 2020 (fire tornadoes! murder hornets! pandemic! protests! wildfires!) it's time to take a breath and talk about how we're going to get to our next idea of the future.