Tag Archives: Library Associations

Communication, General

Learning About Library Associations: Asian/Pacific 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 take a look at the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA). This association was founded in 1980 and is “organized and founded by librarians of diverse Asian and Pacific ancestries committed to working together toward a common goal: to create an organization that would address the needs of Asian Pacific American librarians and those who serve Asian Pacific American communities.” To learn more about the organization’s history, check out this article.

According to their website, the purpose of APALA is:

  • To provide a forum for discussing problems of APA librarians.
  • To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas by APA librarians with other librarians.
  • To support and encourage library services to APA communities.
  • To recruit and mentor APA librarians in the library/information science professions.
  • To seek funding for scholarships in library and information science masters programs for APAs.
  • To provide a vehicle whereby APA librarians can cooperate with other associations and organizations having similar or allied interests.

APALA gives out several different scholarships and awards each year, including a travel grant, an Emerging Leader Sponsorship, and the Talk Story program. APALA offers a newsletter and archived webinars to members on their site. They also offer a mentoring program.

To learn more about membership to APALA, or to find out ways to get involved, check out their website!

 

Communication

Learning About Library Associations: Minnesota Association of Law Libraries

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 look at the Minnesota Association of Law Libraries (MALL) which is an organization dedicated to “legal research and information professionals facilitating access to justice and legal information.” MALL is the Minnesota chapter of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). The mission of AALL is to “advance the profession of law librarianship and support the professional growth of its members through leadership and advocacy in the field of legal information and information policy.”

MALL offers scholarships, awards, and grants, holds seasonal meetings, and features a Newsfeed on their website to keep members updated. You can learn more about the history and goals of MALL here,  or check out their Event Calendar. Learn more about membership to MALL here.

Communication

Learning About Library Associations: Medical 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.

“The Medical Library Association (MLA) believes that quality information is essential for improved health. MLA aspires to be the association of the most visible, valued, and trusted health information experts. To that end, MLA fosters excellence in the professional practice and leadership of health sciences library and information professionals in order to enhance the quality of health care, education, and research throughout the world.”

The core values of the Medical Library Association include:

  • Use of scientific evidence in making health care decisions
  • Public awareness of, access to, and use of high-quality health information
  • Lifelong learning and professional development
  • Advancement of health information research and evidence-based practice
  • Community and collaboration within and outside the profession
  • Irreproachable ethical standards (Code of Ethics for Health Sciences Librarians)

MLA has a Public Policy Center that does advocacy to “address federal information issues, policies, and legislation of importance to the health sciences library community.” They also have an annual meeting, which will take place in Atlanta in May of 2018. The annual event will feature program sessions, continuing education, exhibitors and more!

MLA offers mentoring, scholarships and grants, several different publications, and communities for member connections. Learn more about joining the Medical Library Association here.

 

 

Communication, General

Learning About Library Associations: American Indian 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 American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of ALA. AILA began in 1979 due to “increasing awareness that library services for Native Americans were inadequate.”

The organization is a “membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve Indian library, cultural, and informational services in school, public, and research libraries on reservations. AILA is also committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values, and information needs to the library community.”

AILA has an annual conference and publishes a twice yearly newsletter. Check out their list of FAQ’s here.

AILA offers travel grants and scholarships as well as the American Indian Youth Literature Award. This award is presented every two years in the categories of Picture Book, Middle School, and Young Adult. “The awards were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. Books selected to receive the award will present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts.”

Visit AILA’s website to learn more!

 

Communication

Learning About Library Associations: Art Libraries Society of North America

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 exploring the Art Libraries Society of North America! This organization is “a dynamic organization of over 1,000 individuals devoted to fostering excellence in art and design librarianship and image management.” Their annual conference called “Out of Bounds” is coming up in February and will be in New York City!

Society members are “architecture and art librarians, visual resources professionals, artists, curators, educators, publishers, students, and others throughout North America interested in visual arts information.” Find out how to join the Society and read about membership benefits (like awards, publications, and career resources) on their page here.

Their website features a variety of multimedia and technology reviews, like this one of the exhibition Bruegel: Unseen Masterpieces. Their site also has a Learning Portal which includes webinar archives and virtual conference sessions. The content is Open Access and accessible through online registration. Finally, you can check out any upcoming events on their Event Calendar!