Julius C. Jefferson Jr.

Julius C. Jefferson Jr. (born July 22, 1968) is an American librarian who was president of the American Library Association for the 2020-2021 term. In 2022 President Joe Biden appointed him to the National Museum and Library Services Board which advises the agency on general policies with respect to the duties, powers, and authority of the Institute of Museum and Library Services relating to museum, library, and information services, as well as the annual selection of the recipients of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Jefferson is additionally a section head of the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, and served as the president of the Freedom to Read Foundation from 2013 to 2016.

Jefferson was born in Washington, D.C. as the 4th generation in a family. His father worked as an archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration, and his mother was a technical specialist at the ALA. He originally dreamed of being a drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire, but credits his inspiration of working in libraries to Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, and claimed to become a bibliophile.

Jefferson received a B.A. in history from Howard University and an MLS from the University of Maryland.

He has served on the Executive Board of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (2007–2009) and is a member. He served as president of the Freedom to Read Foundation and president of the District of Columbia Library Association.