American Library Association (ALA)

1. American Library Association (ALA) Graduate School of Library and Information Science University of Illinois at Urbana – ChampaignStudent Chapter Presentation February 24, 2011 Lorelle R. Swader, MLS, MA, CAE Director – ALA Office for Human Resource Development & Recruitment (HRDR)

2. Today’s Presentation……… • Introduction • Overview of Professional Associations • Library Associations • ALA Overview & Structure • HRDR Overview & Resources • Networking Opportunities • Conference Overview • Student Resources • Q & A

3. Speaker’s Background • BA - (Speech Communication) & MLS – Indiana University • MA – (Communications & Training) Governors State University • Career Path – Academic, Law, Special and Public Libraries • ALA • HRDR

4. 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.

5. How do they benefit their members????? • 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

6. 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)

7. ALA Overview • Founded in 1876 • Over 60,000 Members • Washington Office • Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA)

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Key Action Areas Which Serve as Guiding Principles • Diversity • Equitable Access to Information and Library Services • Intellectual Freedom • Literacy • Education & Lifelong Learning • Advocacy for Libraries and the Profession • Organizational Excellence

11. Academic Public School (K-12) Special State Librarians Support Staff Trustees Friends Publishers Authors Institutions The Association represents all types if libraries and members

12. ALA Structure • 11 Divisions • 19 Round Tables • 16 Offices • 57 Chapters • 28 Affiliates

13. 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 Divisions

14. ALA Round Tables • 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.

15. HRDR Mission Focus • Education and professional development • Recruitment of a diverse workforce • Human Resource Management

16. HRDR Resources • Career Development Programs • ALA Scholarship Program • ALA JobLIST Placement Center • Emerging Leaders Program

17. 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

18. 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

19. Student Networking Opportunities • Student Chapters • Student Memberships • New Members Round Table (NMRT) • Emerging Leaders Program • ALA Conferences • Division National Conferences

20. Student Resources • 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

21. Important Staff Contacts and Website Links • Student Membership Questions: Don Wood – dwood@ala.org • NMRT or ALA Scholarship Program Questions: Kimberly Sanders – ksanders@ala.org • Placement Center/JobList/Emerging Leaders Questions: Beatrice Calvin - bcalvin@ala.org • ALA/HRDR Questions: Lorelle Swader – lswader@ala.org

22. Questions???

23. Thanks for Inviting me to speak!!!