Library science is an enormous field, home to every interest you could imagine! This means that there are many organizations out there for you to join, in order to connect with other people who share your professional interests.
So even if you work alone in your library, there are other people out there doing work similar to yours! Each week we will highlight a different library association for you to learn more about, and depending on your work, potentially join! You can also check out our page dedicated to Library Associations.
This week we’ll take a look at the Theater Library Association (TLA). This organization was founded in 1937 and “supports librarians and archivists that work with theater, dance, performance studies, popular entertainment, and motion picture and broadcasting collections.”
“TLA promotes professional best practices in acquisition, organization, access and preservation of performing arts resources in libraries, archives, museums, private collections, and the digital environment. By producing publications, conferences, panels, and public events, TLA fosters creative and ethical use of performing arts materials to enhance research, live performance, and scholarly communication.”
TLA has tons of different resources available. Take a look at their publications, which include Performing Arts Resources and TLA’s newsletter Broadside. They have this page dedicated to help with searching for library jobs and links to similar professional organizations that may be hiring. TLA also offers several different professional awards and scholarships.
TLA awards two different book awards each year, and they are now accepting nominations for the 2018 awards!
Check out their list of performing arts libraries, archives, and museums across the country, including the University of Minnesota’s Performing Arts Archives! They also have a membership directory (available to members only).
If you are interested in joining TLA, find more information on their membership page, then check out all the ways you can get involved!