Senate committee advances two nominees to Oklahoma Department of Libraries board

The Senate Committee on Local and County Government unanimously voted to advance two gubernatorial appointees — Mary Westman and Samuel Allibach — to the full Oklahoma Senate for confirmation to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries board.

Mary Westman, introduced by Senator Standridge, told the committee she was appointed by Governor Stitt and described libraries as “foundational to our communities, supporting education, access to information, and lifelong learning.” Westman summarized her background as a registered nurse, a former health-care executive, a licensed Oklahoma attorney, and a holder of an MBA; Standridge said Westman would replace Stephen Gray and, if confirmed, serve a six-year term. Committee questioning was limited: Senator Stewart asked what Westman anticipated would be the board’s biggest challenge; Westman said she would first review the statutory authority granted to the board, align priorities to local community needs and work within available budgets.

After brief remarks and no extended debate, the committee recorded six ayes and zero nays and declared the nomination passed; the committee chair said the nomination will proceed to the full Senate for confirmation.

Senator Reinhart presented the second nominee, Samuel Allibach (transcribed with variant spellings in the record). Allibach, introduced as a middle-school teacher and Oklahoma State University alumnus, said he sees “a literacy crisis going on in our state” and expressed a desire to use libraries as shared community spaces to support children’s reading and community engagement. Committee members asked few follow-up questions before taking a roll-call vote; the committee again recorded six ayes and zero nays and advanced the nomination to the full Senate.

Both nominees spoke of supporting literacy and community access to library resources; neither nomination drew extended debate, amendment or opposition in the committee. The committee adjourned after completing the two roll-call votes.

The nominations will next be considered by the full Oklahoma Senate according to the committee chair’s announcement at the close of the meeting.