May 12, 2026 Librarian at the Marriott Library Included in 2026 Movers and Shakers List

By Heidi Brett, marketing and public relations director

Library Journal, the go-to for credible news on everything “library,” has included Rebekah Cummings, librarian at the University of Utah’s Marriott Library, in their 2026 Movers and Shakers list. Celebrating its 25th year, the Movers and Shakers list is about “The People Shaping the Future of Libraries.” The list includes six categories: Innovators, Team Players, Change Agents, Community Builders, Educators and Advocates. Rebekah was selected for the Change Agents category.

“I am so honored to be recognized as a Library Journal 2026 Mover & Shaker, especially in the ‘Change Agent’ category,” commented Rebekah. “Librarians have always evolved to meet the needs of our communities, and the ‘Humanities Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence’ Summer Institute is just one example of how libraries are helping lead conversations around ethical, human-centered AI.

Rebekah holds dual roles at the Marriott Library as director of digital matters and head of Open Scholarship and Data Services. Her research has been published in journals both nationally and internationally. Her co-authored monograph, The High-Impact Digital Library: Innovative Approaches for Outreach and Instruction, was published by the American Library Association in 2024.

“The world needs people focused on the human side of technology—helping people navigate questions about information, artificial intelligence and the future of learning.” – Rebekah Cummings

“The world needs people focused on the human side of technology—helping people navigate questions about information, artificial intelligence and the future of learning. I’m grateful to Library Journal for highlighting the innovative work happening at the Marriott Library and for bringing these conversations to a national audience,” says Rebekah.

She has led national programs on AI and the humanities and was the Co-Director of the 2025 Summer Institute for Higher Education Faculty “Humanities Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence.” A former President of the Utah Library Association and Chair of the Utah State Library Board, Rebekah has championed library funding and information access for nearly a decade. In 2022, she co-founded Let Utah Read, a statewide coalition dedicated to preserving the freedom to read. Her advocacy has been recognized by the American Library Association, ACLU of Utah, the League of Women Voters and the Utah Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters. In 2024, she became the first librarian to run for Lieutenant Governor on a major party ticket in the United States.