Tag Archives: Library Associations

Communication, General

Learning About Library Associations: Polish American Librarians’ Association

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 learn about the Polish American Librarians’ Association (PALA). This organization’s mission is to “positively impact services provided to library patrons of Polish descent and individuals interested in Polish culture.”

PALA is having their annual meeting on April 28th in Chicago. The agenda includes a speaker on ALA’s role in reconstructing Polish libraries after WWII, a panel discussion on the 100th anniversary of Poland’s independence, and a preview of a new documentary.

Their website has a great list of resources to help with Collection Development, targeted at “non-Polish speaking librarians responsible for Polish language collections at public libraries.” The list includes classic works of Polish literature, winners of the Nike Literary Award (the Polish Pulitzer Prize), and a helpful list of notable/popular Polish authors.

Their site also has an awesome Programming page that lists ideas and examples of ways to include Polish programming at your own library, particularly in the month of October which is Polish Heritage Month. Some of these ideas include inviting a folk dance group to perform at your library, hosting a traditional Polish folk art workshop, or inviting a Polish restaurant/bakery in for a cooking demonstration of favorite Polish foods.

If you’d like more information about PALA, check out their FAQ page. And no, it’s not required to be of Polish descent to become a member! Get more membership information from their page.

 

Communication, General

Learning About Library Associations: Mountain Plains Library Association

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 learn about the Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA). MPLA is a twelve state organization of libraries, librarians, and friends of libraries in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. The main goal of MPLA is to “improve present and future library services in the Mountain Plains region through development of librarians, trustees and library employees.”

MPLA is an impressive library association with a ton to offer their members. One of the first things we noticed about this association is that they have a library podcast!! It’s called the Library Leadership Podcast and you can listen to their episodes on their podcast page. We love to see libraries podcasting!

MPLA has an annual conference, taking place this year in Wichita, KS from October 23 – 26th. They offer professional development grants to members, with the categories of mini-grants and regular grants. Their Continuing Education page is full of great resources, including links to free training, relevant state library associations, and vendors.

Their 2018 Leadership Institute is coming up in Estes Park, CO from April 29th – May 4th and will feature nationally known organizational development consultant Maureen Sullivan.  “Ms. Sullivan has over 25 years of experience in leadership development and is the Past President of the American Library Association.  She helped establish the ACRL/Harvard Leadership Institute and is a faculty member for its annual program.” Check out testimonials from past conference attendees here.

Stay on top of MPLA happenings with their newsletter, explore their posted jobs, or find out more about becoming a member of their organization! Keep up the great work, MPLA!

Communication

Learning About Library Associations: Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association

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 are learning about the Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association (MOLA). Their mission is to  “facilitate communication between professional performance librarians, educate and assist them in providing service to their organizations, provide support and resources to the performing arts, and work with publishers  to achieve the highest standards in music performance materials.”

MOLA was founded in 1983 and is made up of more than 270 performance organizations around the world, with more than 450 librarians. Librarians are able to share information and connect through MOLA to help with their library work.

Their annual conference is right around the corner, taking place March 16th – 19th and hosted by the Kansas City Symphony!

Their website offers plenty of resources for members. MOLA members can stay current with news through the quarterly newsletter, interact with other members through their online Discussion Forum, or browse current job openings and internships.

Interested in joining MOLA? Explore their detailed list of member organizations and librarians! Then visit their membership page to learn about the application process.

Communication, General

Learning About Library Associations: Cache Valley Library Association

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 Cache Valley Library Association (CVLA)! CVLA is a relatively new association that was founded in 2012 and has more than 130 members. Their goals include:

  • Facilitate communication, networking, collaboration, mentoring, professional development, and socializing among all persons engaged in any aspect of library services.
  • Promote awareness of library resources, activities, practices, and goals both within its membership and to the community at-large.
  • Advocate on behalf of all libraries and their services, resources, and workers.

Membership to CVLA is free and open to anyone in their area interested in library services. “To officially join, send an email to cachelibraries@gmail.com or sign up at one of our bimonthly meetings. Registered members are eligible to vote and serve in leadership positions. ” Check out their map directory of members on their website.

CVLA has an awesome resource called “Phone A Friend” that connects members with the knowledge and experience of other library workers in their community. If you have a question in your library work, you can contact someone from their list that has signed up to offer assistance. Or if you are knowledgeable in a certain area, you can sign up as someone willing to answer questions that other library workers may have!

Check out CVLA’s job postings, annual reports or meeting minutes, or just stay up to date with the latest news. It looks like CVLA is doing great work in their library community!

Communication, General

Learning About Library Associations: Catholic Library Association

1 Comment

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 Catholic Library Association (CLA). This association provides professional development, support, networking, and fellowship.

According to their website, the CLA:

  • Provides leadership for professional development
  • Coordinates the exchange of ideas
  • Offers spiritual support
  • Promotes Catholic and ecumenical literature
  • Fosters community among those who seek, serve, preserve, and share the word in all its forms

CLA has an annual convention which will be held virtually this year on April 18th. They also have regional chapters for members to join.

Definitely visit their website for more information, but check out a few more of the resources CLA has to offer:

You can check out current CLA news, browse Job Postings, apply for a scholarship or grant, or shop resources like The Handbook for Church Librarians.

Learn more about benefits of becoming a member of CLA and sign up on their membership page.