Transcript American Library Association

American Library Association
(ALA)
Graduate School of Library and Information
Science
University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign
Student Chapter Presentation
February 24, 2011
Lorelle R. Swader, MLS, MA, CAE
Director – ALA Office for Human Resource Development & Recruitment (HRDR)
Today’s Presentation………
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Introduction
Overview of Professional Associations
Library Associations
ALA Overview & Structure
HRDR Overview & Resources
Networking Opportunities
Conference Overview
Student Resources
Q&A
Speaker’s Background
- (Speech Communication) & MLS –
Indiana University
 MA – (Communications & Training)
Governors State University
 Career Path – Academic, Law, Special
and Public Libraries
 ALA
 HRDR
 BA
What are associations???
 “In
general, an association is a group of
persons banded together for a specific
purpose.” They are organizations that
people voluntarily join because they
want to work together on a common
cause or interest.
How do they benefit their
members?????
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Education / professional development
 Information, research, statistics
 Standards, codes of ethics, certification
 Forum (face to face or virtual) to discuss
common problems and solutions
 Service / mission oriented – volunteerism and
community service
 Provide a community, network, “home”,
identity, participation
What are the major library
associations?
State groups – Illinois Library Association
(ILA)
 Specialty national groups – (AALL, MLA, SLA
and ALA)
 International groups - IFLA
 Ethnic groups – (BCALA, REFORMA, CALA,
APALA and AILA)
 Organizational groups – (ULC and ARL)
 Others – (SAA, Beta Phi Mu)
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ALA Overview
 Founded
in 1876
 Over 60,000 Members
 Washington Office
 Allied Professional Association (ALAAPA)
Mission
 The
Mission of the American Library
Association is to provide leadership for
the development, promotion and
improvement of library and information
services and the profession of
librarianship in order to enhance
learning and ensure access to
information for all.
Vision
ALA is the leading advocate for:
 The value of libraries and librarians in
connecting people to recorded
knowledge in all forms.
 The public's right to a free and open
information society.
Key Action Areas Which
Serve as Guiding Principles
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Diversity
 Equitable Access to Information and Library
Services
 Intellectual Freedom
 Literacy
 Education & Lifelong Learning
 Advocacy for Libraries and the Profession
 Organizational Excellence
The Association represents all
types if libraries and members
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Academic
 Public
 School (K-12)
 Special
 State
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Librarians
 Support Staff
 Trustees
 Friends
 Publishers
 Authors
 Institutions
ALA Structure
 11
Divisions
 19 Round Tables
 16 Offices
 57 Chapters
 28 Affiliates
ALA Divisions
Type of Library
 ACRL – Academic
 PLA – Public
 AASL – School
 ASCLA – Specialized
and Cooperative
Agencies
Type of Function
 ALSC – Children Ser.
 YALSA – Young Adults
 LLAMA – Management
 LITA – Technology
 RUSA – Reference Ser.
 ALCTS – Technical
Services
 ALTAFF – Trustees,
Advocates, Friends &
Foundations
ALA Round Tables
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19 Additional membership Groups
 For individuals in the same field of study, but
NOT represented in a Division
Some of the Specialties Represented: Social
Responsibilities, Intellectual Freedom,
International Relations, Government
Documents, Library Instruction, Research,
History, Retired Members and Support Staff.
HRDR Mission Focus
 Education
and professional
development
 Recruitment of a diverse workforce
 Human Resource Management
HRDR Resources
 Career
Development Programs
 ALA Scholarship Program
 ALA JobLIST Placement Center
 Emerging Leaders Program
Midwinter Meeting
 Mid-year
Business Meeting of the
Association’s officers and leaders
 Occurs in January or February
 Some “pre” institutes and workshops,
but minimal continuing education
 Attendance is about 10,000 to 15,000
Annual Conference
 Professional
Development Offerings
 Occurs in June or July
 World’s Largest Library Exhibits
 Awards and Recognition
 Special Events
 Inauguration of New Officers
 Attendance is about 20,000 to 28,000
Student Networking
Opportunities
 Student
Chapters
 Student Memberships
 New Members Round Table (NMRT)
 Emerging Leaders Program
 ALA Conferences
 Division National Conferences
Student Resources
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Student Members Wiki http://wikis.ala.org/students/index.php/Main_Page
 Chapter Relations Office – www.ala.org/cro
 New Members Round Table (NMRT) –
www.ala.org/nmrt
 ALA – www.ala.org
 HRDR – www.ala.org/hrdr
 ALA Scholarship Program –
www.ala.org/scholarships
 ALA JobList – www.joblist.ala.org
Important Staff Contacts and
Website Links
Student Membership Questions: Don Wood –
[email protected]
 NMRT or ALA Scholarship Program
Questions: Kimberly Sanders –
[email protected]
 Placement Center/JobList/Emerging Leaders
Questions: Beatrice Calvin - [email protected]
 ALA/HRDR Questions: Lorelle Swader –
[email protected]
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Questions???
Thanks for Inviting me to
speak!!!