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………  Introduction  Overview of Professional Associations  Library Associations  ALA Overview & Structure  HRDR Overview & Resources  Networking Opportunities  Conference Overview  Student Resources  Q & A

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

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?????  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)

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

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  Diversity  Equitable Access to Information and Library Services  Intellectual Freedom  Literacy  Education & Lifelong Learning  Advocacy for Libraries and the Profession  Organizational Excellence

As an educational association it is also committed to the continuing professional development needs of all library workers. In order to insure the implementation of these strategic priorities, the ALA has several units which serve as vehicles for offering numerous opportunities for continuous education.

They have annual programming and social events for networking and a newsletter that keeps their members who cannot attend the conference up to date on activities.

The Association represents all types if libraries and members  Academic  Public  School (K-12)  Special  State  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  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.

Programmatic Offices  Chapter Relations Office  Development Office  Governance Office  International Relations Office  Office for Accreditation (OA)  Office for Diversity (OFD)  Office of Government Relations (OGR)  Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR)  Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP)  Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)  Office for Library Advocacy (OLA)  Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS)  Office for Research and Statistics (ORS)  Public Information Office (PIO)  Public Programs Office (PPO)

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  Student Members Wiki  Chapter Relations Office –  New Members Round Table (NMRT) –  ALA –  HRDR –  ALA Scholarship Program –  ALA JobList –

Important Staff Contacts and Website Links  Student Membership Questions: Don Wood –  NMRT or ALA Scholarship Program Questions: Kimberly Sanders –  Placement Center/JobList/Emerging Leaders Questions: Beatrice Calvin -  ALA/HRDR Questions: Lorelle Swader –

Questions???

Thanks for Inviting me to speak!!!