From ALA Washington: President nominates former Public Library Association president for IMLS director

NEWS OF NOTE FROM THE WASHINGTON OFFICE

Contact: Jenni Terry, Press Officer, ALA Washington Office, (202) 628-8410, jterry@alawash.org

For Immediate Release, September 30, 2010

President nominates former Public Library Association president for IMLS director

Washington, D.C. – President Obama announced his nominations for key administration posts yesterday including Susan H. Hildreth for director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Hildreth is currently the city librarian of the Seattle Public Library and an active member of the American Library Association (ALA), having served as president of the Public Library Association in 2006.

She was also was previously appointed as California’s state librarian by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

ALA President Roberta Stevens said Hildreth’s experience and knowledge of all types of libraries make her the ideal choice for the position.

“Within the library community, Susan is known for her innovation and leadership,” Stevens said.

“The ALA congratulates Susan on receiving this prestigious nomination, and we commend President Obama for recognizing her as a talented library leader who will bring vision to IMLS.”

ASCLA accepting nominations for 2011 service, leadership, achievement awards

The Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) is now accepting nominations for its 2011 awards, including the Leadership and Professional Achievement Award, the Exceptional Service Award, the Cathleen Bourdon Service Award, the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award and the Francis Joseph Campbell Medal.

These awards recognize accomplishments in the following areas:

Cooperative, Consulting and State Library Services: The Leadership and Professional Achievement Award is a citation presented to one or more ASCLA members exemplifying leadership and achievement in the following areas: consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide service and programs and state library development. Download the award nomination form.

Extension and Outreach Services: The Exceptional Service Award recognizes exceptional service to patients in a medical facility, to persons who are homebound, to inmates, to older adults and to adults with a physical or mental disability who live in group homes or residences, as well as to recognize professional leadership, effective interpretation of programs, pioneering activity and significant research. The recipient receives a citation. Download the award nomination form.

Service to ASCLA: The Cathleen Bourdon Service Award is a citation presented to an ASCLA personal member for exceptional service and sustained leadership to the division. This includes participation in activities that have enhanced the stature, reputation and overall strength of ASCLA and have also cultivated the division’s relationship with other appropriate organizations, institutions or governmental agencies. Download the award nomination form.

Projects focused on library services to people with disabilities: The ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award, sponsored by ASCLA, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and Keystone Systems, Inc., this award recognizes an innovative and well-organized project that successfully developed or expanded services for people with disabilities. The award can be for a specific service(s) program or for a library that has made its total services more accessible through changing physical and/or attitudinal barriers. The winner receives $1,000 and a citation provided by Keystone Systems, Inc. Download the award nomination form.

Oustanding contributions to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped: The Francis Joseph Campbell Award honors a person or institution for significant contributions in this field of service with a medal and a citation. Contributions include but are not limited to: an imaginative and constructive program in a particular library; a recognized contribution to the national library program for blind persons; creative participation in library associations or organizations that advance reading for the blind; a significant publication or writing in the field; or imaginative contribution to library administration, reference, circulation, selection, acquisitions, or technical services. The award is administered by the Libraries Serving Special Populations Section (LSSPS) of ASCLA, and is supported by Keystone Systems, Inc. Download the award nomination form.

Those interested in submitting a nomination can download the appropriate award nomination form(s) from the awards section of the ASCLA website or request the form(s) from Liz Markel, ASCLA Marketing Specialist, via e-mail at lmarkel@ala.org. Nominations for all awards must be received by Dec. 15, 2010. Submission information is included on each form.

Virtual Convergence: submission deadline extended to Monday, Sept. 20

The submission deadline has been extended to Monday, Sept. 20, for proposals for the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) 2011 Virtual Convergencea series of professional development webinars that will be held in January 2011 immediately following the ALA 2011 MidwinterMeeting.

The Virtual Convergence is an inaugural webinar series presented by ASCLA on topics of interest to both ASCLA members and the broader library community. It offers librarians, library staff and library supporters of all types an opportunity to, for one week, focus on acquiring important knowledge that will enhance and improve workplace performance and effectiveness. The event will be held from Tuesday, Jan. 18 through Friday, Jan. 21, with webinars scheduled throughout the day. The division currently seeks proposals for these sessions. Proposals may be submitted directly by presenters or, similar to the conference planning process, may be submitted by member volunteers who will coordinate presenter recruitment and/or facilitate a panel ofspeakers.

Successful proposalswill:

  • Show plans for presentations that fit within the 90-minute session blocks, including at least 15 minutes forQ&A.
  • Show how the presentation addresses a topic either of interest to ASCLA members, or represents an area of ASCLAs expertise that benefits other types of librarians. This may include but is not limited to: financial management; strategic planning; grant writing; services to special populations including the blind, deaf and hard of hearing and the incarcerated; and library consulting. Past topics addressed by ASCLA programming are listed in the ASCLA @ Annual 2010 guide, as well as the version of the guide that covers 2009 Annual Conference programming.
  • Include an outline of the points the presentation willcover.
  • Outline the audiences that will be interested in thistopic.
  • Include a description of the presenter and his/her relevant experience, e.g. education, job history, that illustrates their expertise in the proposed topicarea.

Proposals must be submitted using the online submission form no later than close of business on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010. Presenters for accepted proposals will receive compensation for their time and will also receive training for the webinar software. Questions about ASCLA or the Convergence can be directed to Liz Markel, ASCLA marketing specialist, or Susan Hornung, ASCLA executive director at lmarkel@ala.org and shornung@ala.org,respectively.

More information about the Virtual Convergence schedule, registration rates and other event details will be posted on the ASCLA blog and ASCLA website in mid-October,2010.