Center right photo by William Neumann Photography; all other photos by Michael A. Foley

Over the past 22 years, Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers awards have offered a compelling snapshot of what’s up and coming in the library world. The individuals and groups we have featured represent a range of innovative, proactive, and supportive work. But taking the wide view of more than two decades of Movers reveals much about the field’s status quo as well: what was remarkable that is now expected, what caught us by surprise that has been folded into the everyday.

A look back at Movers history tells stories. The Tech Leaders category was phased out after 2020, when it became clear that almost no aspect of librarianship was not touched by technology in some way. The Storytellers category saw its last entry in 2007 and Collaborators in 2008. The understanding that all library workers are collaborators and storytellers—from directors to behind-the-scenes catalogers, developers, and vendors—is pivotal to what makes this such an important profession.

Advocacy is a critical part the work; LJ has highlighted Advocates among the Movers since 2003. This year, however, it became clear that a new level needs to be recognized: those stepping up to combat the current wave of materials challenges and legislation that would restrict the freedom to read. This not only means organizing but also forward-facing work—testifying before state legislators, drafting policy, collaborating on legal actions, and creating sanctuary cities. Our new category, Ban Battlers, highlights those efforts.

These intellectual freedom defenders—our Ban Battlers—are joined by Advocates, Community Builders, Change Agents, Innovators, and Educators to make up the 2024 Movers & Shakers cohort. They are developing programming for patrons with disabilities, providing a place to land after school for teens, creating and restoring balance to their boards, connecting libraries with federal funding, helping design sustainable facilities, teaching community members how to archive their collections, and more—the 50 individuals profiled here demonstrate 50 different ways to move library values forward.

Heartfelt thanks to our external judges—Nicholas A. Brown, Christina Fuller-Gregory, Elizabeth Joseph, Nancy Jo Lambert, and Kathy Zappitello—for their insight and support of our LJ team: myself, Senior Tech Editor Matt Enis, and Editor-in-Chief Hallie Rich. Thank you as well to project coordinator Amy C. Rea, who kept the many pieces of this project in order, and the writers who made each Mover shine through their profiles. As you can see, our Class of 2024 shines on the pages as well, thanks to our design team, Kevin Henegan and Irving Cumberbatch; New York photographer William Neumann; and Columbus, OH, photographer Michael A. Foley. A special shout-out to New York Public Library Associate Director of Public Relations Amy Geduldig for securing the library’s handsome James Lenox and John Jacob Astor Room for our NYC photo shoot and offering us space for editorial coordination. And, of course, big props to our 2024 Movers, who are imaginative and kind and brave in a world that needs those qualities—and the results they produce—very much. —Lisa Peet, Executive Editor

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