Cindy Czesak
Cynthia Czesak is the retired Director of the Paterson Public Library, working there for 17 years. Prior to that, she worked at the Clifton Public Library for over 20 years; for 13 of those years, she was Director. Since retiring, Ms. Czesak has formed a consulting firm and has served as interim Executive Director of BCCLS, Demarest Public Library and Parsippany Public Library. She is also serving as a consultant to the strategic plan for the Demarest Public Library.
Ms. Czesak has been very active in various library organizations in the State of NJ, including serving as NJLA President and was selected as a NJLA Librarian of the Year. She has also served on several ALA committees, including on ALA Council for 9 years.
James Keehbler
James Keehbler is the current director of the Hunterdon County Library System. Previously, Mr. Keehbler was the director of the Piscataway Public Library for nearly a decade. A lifelong New Jersey resident, James received his Masters in Library Science from Rutgers in 1997, as well as his Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers-Newark in 2005.
James has served on the board of the LibraryLinkNJ and has held a number of positions within the New Jersey Library Association including Chair of the Public Policy Committee, Treasurer and President. Mr. Keehbler was honored as the NJLA Librarian of the Year in 2012.
He currently lives in Readington Township with his wife and two children.
Allen McGinley
Allen McGinley is the Director of Westfield Memorial Library in Union County, and has previously served as the Director of Teaneck Public Library in Bergen County. He is a responsive, community-oriented public library administrator with more than 15 years of experience working in diverse suburban and urban communities in New Jersey and New York.
Mr. McGinley has been an active member of the New Jersey Library Association since 2009, serving in a variety of leadership roles including Chair of the Conference, Professional Development, and Public Relations committees. He was also a founding Board Member of New Jersey Makers Day and continues to serve on its board as Board Development Officer and Chair of the Marketing Committee.
Allen was recognized as a “Mover and Shaker” by Library Journal in 2012 for his work as a community builder.
Eileen M. Palmer
Eileen M. Palmer retired as Executive Director of the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium in 2022. She has 40 years of experience in library services, strategic planning and technology. Eileen has assisted libraries in Michigan and New Jersey in developing strategic plans reflecting community needs and highlighting innovative approaches to library services. She has also worked with numerous library boards assisting them in searches for new library directors.
Palmer has also had a career long passion for public policy, having served three state library associations within the public policy, technology policy, and intellectual freedom arenas since 1986. She has served the NJ Library Association in various capacities including as President and Councilor to the American Library Association.
Patricia A. Tumulty
Patricia A. Tumulty was the Executive Director of the New Jersey Library Association from 1991 until 2020. Prior to that, Ms. Tumulty was a consultant at the New Jersey State Library, advising and assisting public libraries. She was also, previously, a Law Librarian at the NJ Department of the Public Advocate and a Librarian at the Cumberland County Library.
Ms. Tumulty was a registered lobbyist for the Association. She is a strong supporter of school librarians through participation in Unlock Student Potential and the American Library Association’s School Library Task Force. She currently is working as a Program Associate and advocate for the New Jersey Library Trustee Association.
Ms. Tumulty’s primary legislative achievements include Dedicated line legislation (public library funding is placed as a separate line on property tax bills which removes this funding from the municipal “cap” legislation), Library Stabilization Law (a library formed by the voters can only be dissolved by the voters) , Johnson Legislation (municipal libraries to ask voters to approve a tax rate above the minimum of 1/3 mil in 2017) and Library Construction Grant Funding.