Cassandra Osterloh
(she/her/hers)Tribal Libraries Program Coordinator
New Mexico State Library
Albuquerque, NM
Other Special, State Library (state government)
Degrees and Certifications
University of New Mexico, MA Organization, Information, & Learning Sciences
(Organization Development & Human Resource Development Concentration), 2020; University of Maryland, College Park, MLS, 2002;
University of New Mexico, BA Foreign Languages, 1996.
ALA and/or ALA APA Activities
ALA Councilor, New Mexico Chapter, 2023-2025.
ALA Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds Committee Chair, 2025-2026.
ALA Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds Committee Member, 2024-present.
ALA Policy Monitoring Committee Member, 2024-present.
ALA New Members Round Table Member, 2003-2006.
Offices held
New Mexico Library Association (NMLA), President, 2008-2009.
NMLA Vice-President, 2007-2008.
NMLA Conference Chair, 2007-2008.
NMLA Secretary, 2012-2014.
NMLA Member-at-Large, 2021-2023.
NMLA Conference Committee Programs Chair, 2004-2006, 2012-2013, 2019-2021.
NMLA Nominations and Elections Committee Chair, 2009-2010, 2024-2025.
NMLA Native American Libraries Special Interest Group Chair, 2023-present.
NMLA Advocacy Working Group Chair, 2025-present.
Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA) Recording Secretary, 2024-2026.
Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC), Steering Committee Member, 2024-present.
JCLC Concurrent Programs, Poster Sessions & Proceedings Committee Chair, 2024-present.
JCLC Conference Planning, Logistics & Local Arrangements Committee Chair, 2024-present.
American Indian Library Association (AILA) Member-at-Large, 2024-2026.
AILA American Indian Youth Literature Awards Committee Co-Chair, 2024-present.
Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) Tribal Library Coordinators (creator of the group), Chair, 2022-present.
Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) Tribal Library Council, (Founding) Member 2022-present.
(ATALM) International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums. National Planning Council Member, 2023, 2024, 2025.
ACRL Publications Committee, Intern 2003-2004.
ACRL Instruction Section - Emerging Technologies in Instruction, Member 2003-2006.
AASL Learning4Life, State Coordinator for NM, 2008-2014.
Honors and Awards
WebJunction Member of the Year, 2006.
ALA / EBSCO Sponsorship Award Recipient, 2004.
Major Accomplishments
Publications
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Osterloh, Cassandra: "Women for Independence: Women’s Participation in the Spanish-American-Cuban War." Journal of Caribbean Studies 20.3 (Summer/Fall 2006). |
| 2021 | Osterloh, Cassandra: "Los Derechos de las Mujeres: Enfranchisement of Women in the Hispanic Diaspora." El Palacio. (Spring 2021). |
| 2024 | Osterloh, Cassandra (contributer). Tribal Library Technology Servicse Toolkit. ATALM. August 2024. [Tribal Library Technology Services Toolkit | ATALM] |
Statement
I am honored to run for ALA Councilor-at-Large. As a library professional with deep roots in tribal librarianship, I advocate for equity, inclusion, and community-centered leadership. My work focuses on supporting tribal libraries as vital educational and cultural institutions, uplifting Indigenous knowledge systems, and building capacity through collaboration and advocacy.
Through partnerships with tribal communities, state agencies, and national organizations, I have advanced initiatives that strengthen access, visibility, and representation for Indigenous libraries and their communities. I believe ALA Council must reflect and respond to the diverse needs of all libraries—urban, rural, and sovereign—and ensure that historically marginalized voices help shape our collective future.
If elected, I will bring a strong commitment to listening, learning, and taking action that upholds ALA’s values while expanding our vision of inclusive librarianship. Thank you for your support and for the work you do every day.
Links
National Associations of Librarians of Color (NALCo) Memberships
American Indian Library Association,