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.

Let’s check out the Southeastern Library Association (SELA) this week! “For over sixty years, the Southeastern Library Association has been a unifying force strong enough to influence legislation and to attract foundation and federal funds for regional library projects.”

SELA has several accomplishments to their name, including two regional library surveys; the adoption of school library standards; establishing state library agencies; founding library schools; a professional journal, plus more!

SELA offers a great variety of scholarships and awards. They have awards for librarians, authors, books, and even individuals outside the library profession who have made contributions to the promotion of libraries in the Southeast.

The organization offers about two conferences a year. This year the SELA summer conference will take place in August in Birmingham and the South Carolina Library Association / SELA Joint Conference will happen at the end of October in Greenville, SC. Find more information here.

Their website has some excellent resources, including a page of Continuing Education library webinars, their quarterly publication called The Southeastern Librarian, and an extensive mentoring program.

Learn more about the benefits of joining SELA and find out how to become a member on their membership page.