November 15, 2021, Baltimore MD – Maryland Library Association is pleased to announce Joshua Stone as the new Executive Director. Stone will begin in his new role December 6, 2021. 

Joshua Stone has held many leadership roles in library associations and membership organizations in Florida. He has a successful history of implementing programs to expand services, increase member engagement, and develop lasting partnerships. He is currently the Director of Staff Development for the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN), where he helped create the first-of-its-kind in Florida small business and entrepreneur accelerator training, and has worked on numerous strategic plans including helping to craft objectives and goals to steer the organization. Stone is currently the Chair of the Florida Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee where he has worked to create training opportunities and increase staff engagement with elected officials and other stakeholders. While working with the Palm Beach County Library Association for nearly ten years, Stone has served as webmaster, President, and currently Treasurer.   

“I’m thrilled to have Josh Stone as our new Executive Director!” said Mary Anne Bowman, Maryland Library Association President and Deputy Director of St. Mary’s County Library. “He has the right combination of association and library experience and I feel he is the perfect fit to lead MLA into a new chapter. We can’t wait to see what new ideas he will bring to the table and the many ways in which the Association will benefit from his extensive experience.”   

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Maryland Library Association provides leadership for those who are committed to libraries by providing opportunities for professional development and communication and by advocating principles and issues related to librarianship and library service. MLA was founded in 1923 to promote library service in the state. Among members are library staff and trustees, library school students, libraries, and friends of libraries representing the full spectrum of librarianship in Maryland. In 1974, MLA became a legally chartered non-profit, tax exempt corporation. The Association is a state member of the American Library Association, with an elected chapter councilor serving on its governing board.