Aaron Espinosa,  Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory

Candidate for Director-at-Large

Candidates for President-Elect

• Migell Acosta
  
• Anthony Chow

Candidates for Director At-Large (2 positions open)

• _{Jennifer Baker}
  
• Aaron Espinosa
  
• Sharon Tani
  
• Misty Wright
  

Candidate for Student Representative (1 position available)

• Ramara Rubin
• Nhi To
  

Biography
Aaron Espinosa serves as the Director of the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory and the Executive Director of the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory Foundation and the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival, a position he has held for over ten years. During the past decade, he has combined his passion for helping people with his experience in business management to lead all three organizations. Aaron has applied his background in Accounting and Human Resource Management to improve financial efficiency and strengthen team leadership at the Library & Observatory.

As a member of the California Library Association (CLA), Aaron has been actively involved in various committees, progressively expanding his participation. His role as Programming Co-Chair for the 2023 CLA Conference allowed him to utilize his event management skills for the benefit of the library community. Currently, he is serving as Co-Chair for the 2024 CLA Conference, demonstrating his continued commitment to shaping the future of California libraries.

Aaron participated as a mentor in the Catalyst program and continues to deepen his connection with librarians statewide and nationwide. He is also active in the Inland Library System (ILS), where he serves as Immediate Past Chair. During his tenure, he guided the system through a challenging pension liability issue, fostering strong relationships with other ILS members.

Candidate Statement
Being a Library Director without an MLIS may be unconventional, but Aaron Espinosa has successfully led the library and other organizations he has worked with to thrive and strengthen their commitment to serving their communities. While it wasn’t his lifelong goal to become a Library Director, those who know Aaron understand his deep passion for libraries, their staff, patrons, and communities. He continuously strives to learn from his team and fellow library professionals by actively listening to their needs and using his education and experience to provide a unique perspective.

With his background in HR and Accounting, Aaron aims to contribute to CLA by bringing a focus on financial sustainability and organizational efficiency. He believes these skills can help ensure that CLA continues to offer robust opportunities while maintaining a balanced budget. His experience in business management will also allow him to be a voice on the board for operational solvency and strategic planning, ensuring the organization is prepared for future challenges and growth.

In addition to his financial and organizational expertise, Aaron will bring a voice for libraries and communities on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas. Having worked in smaller communities, he understands the unique challenges these libraries face, including limited resources and access. He is committed to representing all libraries in California, but he will make sure that the experiences and needs of smaller, more rural libraries are not overlooked. His goal is to foster greater equity in resource allocation and support for libraries of all sizes. Aaron is eager to learn more, contribute and serve, which is why he is running for the CLA Board Director At-Large.