1.  When did women’s groups become formalized within the American Library Association?  Why did the groups form when they did?  What were the initial goals of these groups?  Did these groups have an impact on changing the status of women’s roles within the American Library Association and the profession? Library Research Showcase November 12, 2014 1

2. When and Why Did These Women’s Groups Emerge in the American Library Association?  Second wave of the women’s movement (1960s) influenced activism in library profession  Women’s groups were created in the ALA to effect change for women in the profession  Task Force on the Status of Women in Librarianship (TFSWL) created in 1970 and Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) created in 1976  Initial Goals: 1.Collect and disseminate information on the status of women 2.Coordinate women’s interests within the ALA 3.Communicate and work with women’s groups outside the profession 2 Library Research Showcase November 12, 2014

3.  Information on salaries was gathered and shared  Jobs board/resume screening service created  Comprehensive salary survey conducted  Collaboration and communication between women’s groups within ALA  Collaboration and communication between women’s groups outside ALA  Workshops and programs discussing women’s issues increased at ALA conferences Library Research Showcase November 12, 2014 3

4.  Harassment at conferences  Multiplicity of groups, younger members, and use of social media makes it hard to coordinate action  No real history or documentation of these issues  Women continue to be oppressed and marginalized within society Library Research Showcase November 12, 2014 4

5.  Use existing structure to create cohesion  Work with women’s groups in other professional library associations, e.g. SLA, IFLA  Document the history of women’s struggles within the profession  Continue to fight for women’s rights within the larger society Library Research Showcase November 12, 2014 5