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 will learn about the New England Library Association (NELA). NELA’s objectives are to “initiate, plan and support regional activities; to encourage the exchange of ideas; and to cooperate with regional and national agencies having related interests.” Their mission is to “provide educational and leadership opportunities for library staff in support of improved library services for the people of New England.” The organization is also a chapter of the ALA. Learn more about NELA’s Strategic Vision here.

Not only does NELA have an annual conference (taking place in October of this year in Warwick, RI) but they have a ton of really useful programs. Some of these include: Technology Training to Empower Your Library Colleagues, Verbal Judo Training Program, and The Future of Library Design: Physical Libraries in the Digital Information Landscape.

NELA has many resources available to their members, including a mentoring program, scholarships and grants,  and the New England Library Leadership Symposium.

Find out more about NELA membership, including ways to get involved and membership discounts on their membership page.

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 will take a look at the Urban Libraries Council. This organization “has spent more than 40 years enriching communities by strengthening and promoting the value of libraries as essential public assets.

ULC provides a forum for library leaders to share best practices and innovative ideas that inspire programs that support 21st century learning, a strong economy, and an active democracy. ULC programs are recognized for creating new frameworks that invigorate public libraries and their communities.”

ULC is focusing on three strategic areas to advocate for the value of libraries. These areas are education, digital inclusion, and healthy, sustainable communities.

ULC has a ton of great member resources. Some of these include library infographics, member videos, their weekly e-newsletter, multiple publications, and of course their annual forum, taking place in September of this year in Baltimore.  Check out their website for additional resources!

Take a look at their member libraries (there are tons across the country!), as well as their list of state and associate members. Do you or your library want to join ULC? You can find more information about membership on their page.

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.

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 Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA). This association has over 200 members from the areas of Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. They are the “oldest regional library association in the United States and the only binational association in North America.”

“PNLA promotes increased communication, joint advocacy, open debate, networking and support and Information sharing through its many special projects and initiatives including:

Annual Conference
Leads! Leadership Institute 
Quarterly
Job Board
Young Readers Choice Award

PNLA provides a unique regional and multinational perspective to the issues that interest all library staff: intellectual freedom, literacy, continuing education, and library leadership.”

Their annual conference this year is in Kalispell, MT in August with the theme of “Breaking the Fourth Wall.” You can stay current with the organization’s news by reading their PNLA Quarterly  issues. Check out the 2018 Nominees for the Young Readers Choice Award.  If you are looking for a library job in the area, make sure to peruse their Job Board.

Interested in becoming a PNLA member? Get all the information on their membership page!