She served as president of the American Library Association from 2000 to 2001.

During her term as the American Library Association's president, she focused on libraries' role in building democracies.

[1] Kranich worked at the New York University Libraries from 1978 to 2002.

She held several positions including associate dean, director of public services and director of administrative services[2] She is on the faculty of Rutgers University-New Brunswick[1] where she teaches courses on Community Engagement; Information Policy; and Intellectual Freedom.

[3] Kranich has been engaged in public policy work including health literacy;[4] intellectual freedom;[5] the civic role of libraries with the Kettering Foundation; and as Founder of the American Library Association Center for Civic Life.