Ann Shumelda Okerson

Who is Ann Shumelda Okerson?

Ann Shumelda Okerson is an internationally distinguished librarian and expert on the place of new digital technologies in libraries. She serves as Senior Advisor on Electronic Strategies for the Center for Research Libraries. She served as Associate University Librarian at Yale University, following 15 years of academic library and library management experience, experience in the commercial sector, and service as founding senior program officer for scholarly communications at the Association of Research Libraries. She has made major contributions to understanding of serials pricing, electronic journals, licensing of electronic resources, and consortial purchasing of electronic materials. She has been a leader in international projects to build a Middle Eastern digital library and has worked broadly with libraries in the region.

In 2011, she was elected Chair of the Professional Committee of the International Federation of Library Associations, one of the senior leadership positions in that body. Long involved with IFLA, she has previously served as a member of the governing board and as chair of the section on Serials and Other Continuing Resources.