Committees and Task Forces

Strengthening library ecosystems using One Voice

RCHRISTOPHER — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:36:02 +0000

Strengthening library ecosystems using One Voice

CHICAGO — A patron of one library is the potential patron of any other library at a different time of life or location. And though each library serves its own unique community, when different kinds of libraries speak together with one voice, the entire library ecosystem is stronger. Distilling the work of ALA's Ecosystem Task Force, the new book “Strengthening Library Ecosystems: Collaborate for Advocacy and Impact,” published by ��ýEditions, will guide library organizations in assessing and extending the strength of their ecosystems by identifying priorities for advocacy and legislation. Written by Dorcas Hand, Sara Kelly Johns, Michelle Robertson, and Eryn Duffee, its flexible framework can apply to the library ecosystem at any level and can accommodate all types of libraries and library organizations, including Friends groups and trustees, vendors, and literacy groups. In this book, readers will:

learn what constitutes a library ecosystem and how diverse libraries can unite around common goals and values;
see the ways in which various library types (school, public, and academic) overlap in mission, share the same core values, and can better view each another as essential allies;
be introduced to the elements of ecosystem thinking, including components such as effective leadership, communication, collaboration, and sustainability for advocacy success;
come to understand how to apply ecosystem ideas to bolster legislative advocacy and combat censorship attempts;
grasp the contrasts between “going it alone,” which can devolve into fragmented messaging and unfocused action at cross-purposes with other libraries, and speaking together with One Voice, as illustrated through real-world examples and case studies; and
get an assortment of practical tip sheets, discussion questions, points to consider, and other helpful prompts and guideposts for setting out on their own ecosystem journey.

Hand, MLS, is a retired school librarian from Houston, Texas and a co-chair of Students Need Libraries in Houston ISD, a grassroots advocacy effort. She chaired the ��ýEcosystem Initiative Task Force to write the Ecosystem Toolkit and Continuum and remains a member of ALA’s COLA Ecosystem Subcommittee, presenting on ecosystem topics often. Johns, an online instructor at the Syracuse University iSchool and a long-time school librarian, is a past president of AASL, the New York Library Association (NYLA), and the Section of School Librarians of NYLA. She received the NYLA Lifetime Achievement Award and the first AASL Social Media Superstar Advocacy Ambassador Award. Active in ��ýCouncil and ��ýcommittees, Johns was a member of the Implementation Task Force for the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. She is co-author of "Elevating the School Library: Building Positive Perceptions through Brand Behavior" and has written articles for several school library publications and contributed chapters for various books. Robertson, MLIS, PhD, is currently the program coordinator and assistant professor for library media in education at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is a member of ALA’s Ecosystem Subcommittee as well as ALA’s Public Awareness Committee. She has worked for several years to build the library ecosystem in Oklahoma. Duffee, MLIS, is a teacher librarian near Seattle, Washington, who has led advocacy committees and who founded the Tennessee Library Ecosystem Coalition. Eryn’s work earned Tennessee the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Award. She was recognized with the Library Journal Movers & Shakers Award in 2023.

��ýStore purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ��ýEditions | Neal-Schuman publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ��ý

RCHRISTOPHER Wed, 06/12/2024 - 11:36

Advocacy

Governance

Committees and Task Forces

Merchandise

Professional Resources

Publications

Public Awareness

Contact:

Rob Christopher

Marketing Coordinator

��ý

��ýPublishing & Media

rchristopher@ala.org

312-280-5052

Revised Competencies for Cataloging & Metadata Professional Librarians

AROBBIN — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:45:52 +0000

Revised Competencies for Cataloging & Metadata Professional Librarians

CHICAGO -- In early 2023, the Core Metadata & Collections Leadership Team asked former member of the Cataloging Competencies Task Force, Dr. Karen Snow, to lead an effort to revise the "Core Competencies for Cataloging and Metadata Professional Librarians." The revision team worked during 2023 to update the 2017 document. Their effort was informed by 2022 survey research data collected by the Cataloging Competencies Task Force that spoke to the current usage of the Core Competencies document and potential changes and additions to the document, as stated by the cataloging and metadata community. Taking into consideration these changes and the aforementioned survey results, the revision team updated the entire original document to clarify language and incorporate competencies relating to artificial intelligence and large language models, emphasize ethics, and move the examples to an appendix for easier updating over time.

According to Dr. Snow, "The 2023 revisions to the Core Competencies for Cataloging & Metadata Professional Librarians build upon an already exceptional core competencies document that has been useful for practitioners, administrators, educators, students, and many others. I am proud of the work of the revision team, which updated the Core Competencies to incorporate new developments in cataloging and metadata work since the 2017 document, and to clarify language for greater precision and ease of use."

The document defines competencies in broad terms to acknowledge the wide variety of work performed by cataloging and metadata professionals in libraries of all types and sizes, regardless of developments in a particular standard or technology. While a baseline of knowledge, skills, and behaviors for cataloging and metadata professional librarians is defined in this document, competence in cataloging and metadata is obtained over the course of an individual’s career. This document is meant to supplement the ��ý’s Core Competences of Librarianship, and as such, many general competencies of librarianship will not be listed here.

About Core

Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is the national association that advances the profession of librarians and information providers in central roles of leadership and management, collections and technical services, and technology. Our mission is to cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers in core functions through community building, advocacy, and learning. Core is a division of the ��ý. Follow us on our Blog, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

AASL opens call for School Library Research Editorial Board Ex-Officio Doctoral Student

ACLINE — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:22:59 +0000

AASL opens call for School Library Research Editorial Board Ex-Officio Doctoral Student

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) seeks a doctoral student to serve on the School Library Research (SLR) Editorial Board in an ex-officio position. For more information and the application, visit www.ala.org/aasl/docapp.

As an ex officio committee member of the School Library Research Editorial Board, the doctoral student position will serve a one-year term, eligible for reappointment. A doctoral student position on the editorial board provides an opportunity for emerging researchers to see a range of research manuscripts while gaining insight into the process of review and editing that leads to a published research article directly related to school librarianship.

The role of the doctoral student will include intake and tracking manuscripts through the review process from initial submission to final decision. The work of this SLR Editorial Board position is remote and does not have a location requirement. The number of active submissions does fluctuate but this position should expect approximately 3-5 manuscripts per month that will require processing and managing through the review process with an anticipated hour commitment of 10-15 hours per month.

The application requirements for the SLR Doctoral Student Ex Officio position include current AASL membership, current enrollment and good standing as a doctoral student, and submission of a CV that includes research interest.

“AASL made a commitment in our strategic plan to advance research that informs school librarian practice and to build leadership capacity,” said AASL President Courtney Pentland. “The addition of a doctoral student position to the SLR editorial board encourages the involvement and engagement of both future AASL researchers and leaders.”

Application reviews will begin on November 30; however, the application will remain open until the position is filled. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact aasl@ala.org.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the ��ý (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

ACLINE Wed, 11/15/2023 - 10:22

Committees and Task Forces

Publications

Contact:

Allison Cline

Deputy Executive Director

AASL

acline@ala.org

312-280-4385

AASL Opens Call for 2023-2025 AASL Standards Committee Members

ACLINE — Tue, 09 May 2023 19:13:00 +0000

AASL Opens Call for 2023-2025 AASL Standards Committee Members

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the ��ý (ALA), is seeking school librarians to serve on the AASL Standards Committee with the charge of reviewing and evaluating the supporting content and material of the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. Visit www.ala.org/aasl/about/standardscommittee to apply.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the ��ý (ALA), is seeking school librarians to serve on the AASL Standards Committee to review and evaluate the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries to reflect the current education environment and to update, write, and revise chapter content, appendices, and supporting materials as needed.

“The AASL National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries book is a touchstone that connects to all that we do,” said AASL president-elect, Courtney Pentland. “The AASL Standards provide a foundation for our work as school librarians, as an association, and with the communities we serve.”

The periodic review and evaluation of content and materials that support school librarians implementing national standards is an important activity of the association. AASL released the National School Library Standards at the 2017 AASL National Conference. At the time, content surrounding the AASL Standards frameworks was crafted to help school library professionals and stakeholders adapt to and integrate the standards with their learning communities.

Pentland notes, “This is the perfect time to reflect on the original standards book published in 2017. While maintaining the foundational frameworks, we can offer new perspectives that continue to support the school library profession but also reflect our changing world. I am excited for the possibilities for additional advancement and adoption of the standards that the work of this new AASL Standards Committee will bring."

Visit www.ala.org/aasl/about/standardscommittee for a complete list of committee responsibilities, requirements for application, a timeline of the work, and compensation details.

Applications must be received by June 6, 2023. Applicants will be notified by June 30, 2023.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the ��ý (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

ACLINE Tue, 05/09/2023 - 14:13

Committees and Task Forces

Publications

Contact:

Sylvia Norton

Executive Director

AASL

snorton@ala.org

312-280-4388

AASL Opens Call For Knowledge Quest and School Library Research Editorial Board Members

ACLINE — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:40:55 +0000

AASL Opens Call For Knowledge Quest and School Library Research Editorial Board Members

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) seeks a dynamic group of school library professionals to serve on the Knowledge Quest (KQ) and School Library Research (SLR) Editorial Boards. These publications move the profession forward by highlighting school library best practices and emergent research in the field. For more information and the application, visit www.ala.org/aasl/app.

“AASL's professional publications are essential resources for school librarians. One of the reasons I am so proud to be part of the AASL community is how willing everyone is to share their expertise and experiences with each other so we can all continue to learn and grow” said AASL president-elect, Courtney Pentland. “Writing for AASL publications has given me the opportunity to explore and engage with my work in new ways and provided an avenue for continued advocacy at the local and national levels. There is so much value in not just reading these journals but participating in their creation. If you are someone who is passionate about sharing school library stories and enjoys collaboration, please consider joining the editorial staff for Knowledge Quest (KQ) or School Library Research (SLR). “

The Knowledge Quest Editorial Board works under the direction of the chair and editor to ensure the journal’s features, articles, content experts, and authors are relevant, current, and meet the needs of AASL’s diverse membership and the school library profession. Members of the editorial board identify the focus of feature articles and topics for related articles for each issue, along with potential content experts and authors. Members also serve as liaisons to content expert(s) to help direct, shape and review the editorial content for each issue.

Pentland notes, “Knowledge Quest is a touchstone that provides access to thoughtfully curated sources of inspiration that provide a depth of knowledge and includes a diversity of perspectives from across the country. School Library Research is vital to our profession, because it is a journal focused solely on peer-reviewed research related to school libraries which is incredibly rare.”

The SLR Editorial Board works under the direction of the SLR Editor(s) to review manuscripts in a timely fashion and ensure the research journal is relevant, current, and meets the needs of AASL’s diverse membership. Members of the editorial board will review manuscripts and encourage submissions. They are also expected to offer insight and suggestions for additional research areas for coverage as well as promote the content and value of SLR.

“The editorial boards for both of these publications provide a vital service that helps us build new knowledge and think critically about our professional practice. As someone who has had the opportunity to write for Knowledge Quest in the past, I am incredibly grateful to those who volunteer to provide guidance and direction for these publications,” said Pentland.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Central on April 14, 2023. Applicants will be notified by June 1.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the ��ý (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

ACLINE Tue, 03/21/2023 - 06:40

Governance

Committees and Task Forces

Publications

Contact:

Allison Cline

Deputy Executive Director

AASL

acline@ala.org

312-280-4385

��ýCommittee on Education seeks feedback on newly revised ��ýCore Competences

AHAYES — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 20:31:22 +0000

��ýCommittee on Education seeks feedback on newly revised ��ýCore Competences

Library professionals are working in environments fueled by rapid advances in technology, social change, funding challenges, and changing user needs. Therefore, the roles, capabilities, and expectations of library professionals are changing as well. The ��ýCore Competences (ALACCs) for library professionals must reflect these changes. Today the ��ý (ALA) Committee on Education (COE) released a discussion draft of newly revised ALACCs (pdf) for library professionals to guide those who hold LIS degrees on basic competences expected within the first several years of graduation.

"The last revision of the ALACCs was passed by ��ýCouncil in 2009, so this revision is much needed for a profession that is leading and implementing many changes within their communities,” says ��ýPresident Julius C. Jefferson, Jr.

The revised ALACCs draft reflects basic knowledge gained through LIS education, job on-boarding, and ongoing professional development early in a library career. It is essential that library professionals working throughout their careers in school, academic, public, special, and governmental libraries be life-long learners to acquire specialized and advanced knowledge beyond those specified in this ALACCs document.

The ALACCs are not intended as a prescriptive document for library school curriculum development but can be used to inform LIS curriculum. Early career library professionals may consider viewing the ALACCs as a list of goals that they should aim to achieve through their LIS education and early years of on-the-job experience. Members of library middle- and upper-management should view the document not as a list of expectations for new hires, but instead as a list of skills that they can support their employees to work toward.

The draft ALACCs document is the first iteration of the ALACCs which intentionally incorporates the concepts of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion both throughout the competences and in a separate competence. Embedding social justice throughout the competences demonstrates that it is not a siloed activity while having a separate social justice competence also recognizes that it contains unique attributes over and above the other competences.

The draft ALACCs document will be vetted, discussed, and further edited based on ��ýmember feedback throughout the remainder of the 2021 calendar year. Several members of the team that worked on the revised ALACCs will discuss the document and invite input into the draft at the 2021 ��ýAnnual Meeting on Sunday, June 27th from 1:30-2:30 p.m. CDT. There will also be additional webinars to solicit member feedback, as well as a feedback survey that may be submitted anytime before the end of the calendar year. Dates and times of additional feedback sessions as well as a link to the feedback survey are found on the ALACCs draft document website. The goal is to incorporate the feedback early in 2022 in time for ��ýCouncil to vote on the revised document at Annual 2022.

###

About the ��ý

The ��ý is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 55,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the ��ý 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.

Mario M. González, Rhea B. Lawson selected to serve as ��ýEndowment Fund Trustees

MMORALES — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 17:44:27 +0000

Mario M. González, Rhea B. Lawson selected to serve as ��ýEndowment Fund Trustees

CHICAGO – Mario M. González, Director of the Passaic (NJ) Public Library and Rhea B. Lawson, Director of the Houston Public Library, have been selected to serve as the ��ý’s (ALA) newest Endowment Trustees. The ��ýExecutive Board made these selections during their meeting at the 2020 Virtual Annual Conference at June 30, 2020. The three-year terms of these newly selected trustees will begin immediately.

Mario M. González is a returning member and will be serving his second three-year term with the Trustees. As the Director of the Passaic Public Library, he is responsible for the strategic development of both short- and long-range plans for the library system, budgets, technology, fundraising, facilities, and community relations. He is also the President and Founder of the Passaic Public Library Foundation. He has served two terms on the ��ýExecutive Board, as ��ýTreasurer, as the Chair of BARC and has been a member of Council since 1996. He also has played an active role in the activities of the Public Library Association, the Association of College & Research Libraries, the Reference & Users Services Association, the Ethnic Materials & Information Exchange Round Table, the Black Caucus of the ��ý, the Chinese American Librarians Association and REFORMA. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the City College of New York, a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Pratt Institute and a Certificate of Achievement from the Harvard Business School on Non-Profit Executive Management.

Rhea Lawson is currently the Director of the Houston Public Library reporting to the mayor of Houston. She will be serving as a first-time committee member. Overseeing a budget of $40 million she provides customer services to Houston’s 2.2 million residents of diverse ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds via a network of 42 locations and a staff of 500. She has a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MLS from the University of Maryland, and a BS from Morgan State University. She has also played an active role in the activities of the Association via the Public Library Association, the Library Leadership and Management Association, the Black Caucus of the ��ý and the chair of BARC.

The Endowment Trustees are charged with the management of the ��ýEndowment Fund with the responsibility for acting on behalf of the Executive Board, within the established policies, procedures, and guidelines of the ��ýinvestment policy statement. Additionally, they have the authority to hold, invest, reinvest, and disburse endowment funds and otherwise deal with endowment funds in accordance with such directions as may be given them by the Executive Board of the Association.

The Trustees must also be members of the ��ýand have a working knowledge of investment opportunities available to endowment funds and the various benchmarks used to judge fund performance. Trustees must also have experience in the management or oversight of investment funds in a business setting. There are currently seven trustees, which includes the ��ýTreasurer.

About the ��ý

The ��ý (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ��ýhas been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.

MMORALES Fri, 07/24/2020 - 12:44

��ýVirtual Event

Committees and Task Forces

Contact:

Keith D. Brown

Senior Financial Analyst

Finance Department

kbrown@ala.org

312-280-4255

��ýNominating Committee seeks candidates for 2021 election

SZALUSKY — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 21:33:52 +0000

��ýNominating Committee seeks candidates for 2021 election

CHICAGO — The Nominating Committee for the 2021 ��ýelection is soliciting nominees to run on the 2021 spring ballot for the offices of ��ýpresident-elect and councilor-at-large.

The Nominating Committee will select two candidates to run for president-elect and no fewer than 51 candidates for the 33 at-large council seats to be filled in the 2021 spring election.

The president-elect will serve a three-year term: as president-elect in 2021-22, as president in 2022-23, and as immediate past president in 2023-24.

The councilors-at-large will serve three-year terms, beginning after the 2021 ��ýAnnual Conference and ending at the adjournment of the 2024 Annual Conference.

The ��ýpresident and councilors also serve in corresponding roles in the ALA-Allied Professional Association [ALA-APA]. Individuals considering ALA-APA office are encouraged to consult with their employer regarding any restrictions pertaining to lobbying activities or service on the governing body of a 501(c)6 organization.

Members who wish to make nominations should submit the following information: nominee name; present position; institution; address; telephone; and e-mail address. Self-nominations are encouraged. All potential nominees must complete the Potential Candidate Biographical Form found here: https://officers.directnominations.net/

You will be asked to create an account to access the form. Nominations and forms must be received no later than July 10, 2020.

Nominations may be sent to any member of the Nominating Committee for the 2021 ��ýElection. Committee members are:

Candice (Wing-yee) Mack (Chair)

Manager, System-wide Teen Services

Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles, CA 90071

candice.yalsa@gmail.com
Floyd Council

Executive Director

Birmingham Public Library, Birmingham, AL 35203

floyd.council@birminghamal.gov
Skip Dye

SVP, Library Marketing & Digital Sales; SVP Dir. Sales Operations

Penguin Random House, New York, NY 10019

sdye@penguinrandomhouse.com
Ann Dutton Ewbank

Associate Professor

Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59718

ann.ewbank@montana.edu
Eldon Ray James

Researcher

Institutional Survey, Austin, TX 78703

erayjames@gmail.com
Amy Spence Lappin

Deputy Director

Lebanon Public Libraries, Lebanon, NH 03776

amy.lappin@leblibrary.com
Arlene Laverde

Librarian

Townsend Harris High School Library, Jamaica, NY 11426

arlverde1@aol.com
Scott Walter

University Librarian

Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL 61701

swalter1@iwu.edu
Deimosa Webber-Bey

Sr. Library Manager

Scholastic Inc., The Scholastic Library & Archive,

New York, NY 10012

deimosa@scholastic.com

The 2021 ��ýelections will take place March 8-April 7, 2021.

SZALUSKY Mon, 04/13/2020 - 16:33

Committees and Task Forces

Contact:

Sheryl Reyes

Director

��ý

Office of ��ýGovernance

sreyes@ala.org

��ýcreates Task Force on United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

DGUERRA — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 20:48:36 +0000

��ýcreates Task Force on United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

CHICAGO —The ��ý (ALA) has created a Task Force on the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to develop a multi-year strategic plan in the coming year to increase participation by libraries in efforts to achieve the Goals.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN members, including the United States.

The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) has asked library associations around the world to join in a global effort to highlight how libraries contribute to the SDG’s.

ALA’s Task Force will be chaired by ��ýImmediate Past President Loida Garcia-Febo and was initiated by ��ýPresident-elect Julius C. Jefferson Jr. for his upcoming presidential year.

Other Task Force members are:

-Connie Champlain, Retired

-Tina Chan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

-Robin Kear, University of Pittsburgh

-Erika Long, Thurgood Marshall Middle School, Nashville

-Donna Scheeder, IFLA Past-President

-John Szabo, Los Angeles Public Library

-Evviva Weinraub, University of Buffalo

��ýwill be adding an international member to the Task Force soon to complete the roster.

Task Force Chair Garcia-Febo stated “I am thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with librarians from academic, public and school libraries from U.S. library associations together with ��ýPresident-Elect Julius C Jefferson Jr. to design a strategic plan to guide our efforts to increase awareness about the UN SDGs and how libraries are essential to development and their services are a platform to do good in the world by adopting sustainable thinking and transforming lives through education and lifelong learning.”

DGUERRA Tue, 03/10/2020 - 15:48

Committees and Task Forces

Contact:

Michael Dowling

Director

International Relations Office

mdowling@ala.org

PLA to offer new webinars on #eBooksForAll campaign, trauma-informed approach to library service

LDEUTSCH — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 20:48:48 +0000

PLA to offer new webinars on #eBooksForAll campaign, trauma-informed approach to library service

CHICAGO – Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced two additional webinars to take place in December.

The first, #eBooksForAll Campaign Update, will be held Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 1–2 p.m. Central Time. Presented by PLA and the ��ý (ALA) Public Policy & Advocacy Office, this webinar is intended to provide the latest information on the #eBooksForAll campaign against Macmillan Publishers' harmful new library eBook lending model. A panel of experts will provide an update on ALA's advocacy and data-gathering efforts. They will also discuss specific actions library supporters can take to advance this important cause. This webinar is free, but registration is required and space is limited. Learn more and register for this webinar.

The second, Applying Trauma-Informed Concepts to Reduce Harm, will be held Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 1–2 p.m. Central Time. This webinar—the third in a series presented by PLA's Social Worker Task Force—will explore how a trauma-informed service philosophy can reduce the potential for harm toward library staff and patrons. Panelists will address specific scenarios and help participants begin to use trauma-informed concepts to address concerns before they and after they arise. The cost is $43 for PLA personal members, $59 for nonmembers, and $129 for groups.* Learn more and register for this webinar.

Registration will close at 4:30 p.m. Central Time the day before each webinar.

*A group is defined as two or more people gathered at a single access point to participate in the live webinar broadcast.

# # #

About PLA

The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 10,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext.5PLA, or pla@ala.org.

Committees and Task Forces

Strengthening library ecosystems using One Voice

Revised Competencies for Cataloging & Metadata Professional Librarians

Related Links

AASL opens call for School Library Research Editorial Board Ex-Officio Doctoral Student

AASL Opens Call for 2023-2025 AASL Standards Committee Members

AASL Opens Call For Knowledge Quest and School Library Research Editorial Board Members

��ýCommittee on Education seeks feedback on newly revised ��ýCore Competences

Related Links

Mario M. González, Rhea B. Lawson selected to serve as ��ýEndowment Fund Trustees

��ýNominating Committee seeks candidates for 2021 election

��ýcreates Task Force on United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

PLA to offer new webinars on #eBooksForAll campaign, trauma-informed approach to library service

*A group is defined as two or more people gathered at a single access point to participate in the live webinar broadcast.

Related Links

Committees and Task Forces

Strengthening library ecosystems using One Voice

Revised Competencies for Cataloging & Metadata Professional Librarians

Related Links

AASL opens call for School Library Research Editorial Board Ex-Officio Doctoral Student

AASL Opens Call for 2023-2025 AASL Standards Committee Members

AASL Opens Call For Knowledge Quest and School Library Research Editorial Board Members

������ýCommittee on Education seeks feedback on newly revised ������ýCore Competences

Related Links

Mario M. González, Rhea B. Lawson selected to serve as ������ýEndowment Fund Trustees

������ýNominating Committee seeks candidates for 2021 election

������ýcreates Task Force on United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

PLA to offer new webinars on #eBooksForAll campaign, trauma-informed approach to library service

*A group is defined as two or more people gathered at a single access point to participate in the live webinar broadcast.

Related Links

��ýCommittee on Education seeks feedback on newly revised ��ýCore Competences

Mario M. González, Rhea B. Lawson selected to serve as ��ýEndowment Fund Trustees

��ýNominating Committee seeks candidates for 2021 election

��ýcreates Task Force on United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals