ASCLA Seeks Editor for Online Membership Journal: Interface

The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) seeks an editor for its quarterly online membership journal InterfaceInterface serves as a critically-important source of information and communication, reaching ASCLA’s 800 members each quarter and sharing news and best practices in ASCLA’s areas of interest with the larger library and user community.  Guided by ASCLA editorial policy, the editor is responsible for the content, format, and timely publication of Interface.

Applicants should have a strong overall knowledge of the association and its goals and have an interest in and knowledge of issues relevant to ASCLA members.  Applicants must have written and published articles and/or have demonstrated editorial experience.  Preferred applicants will have experience or familiarity with the technical and editorial issues associated with electronic and Web publishing.

Compensation of up to $1,000 annually will be provided to the Interface editor to cover travel to ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting.   The editor also receives complimentary registration for both conferences and VIP early registration for hotels.

The two-year appointment as Interface editor will begin upon appointment and end at the conclusion of the Annual Conference in 2016.  The term is renewable upon approval of the ASCLA Board. 

The deadline for application is July 10, 2014. It is anticipated a candidate will be selected by mid-August.  

Applicants should email a resume and cover letter summarizing their editorial philosophy, two to four samples of written work or editorial activities, and contact information for two professional references to Susan Hornung, ASCLA Executive Director: shornung@ala.org.

A division of the American Library Association, ASCLA enhances the effectiveness of library service by providing networking, enrichment and educational opportunities for its diverse members, who represent state library agencies, libraries serving special populations, consortia, and consultants. ASCLA is a division of the American Library Association. For more information, visit www.ala.org/ascla.

Job Description: ASCLA Interface Editor

 

Reports to Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) Board 
Term 2-year appointment, from the end of ALA 2014 Annual Conference through 2016 Annual Conference. The Editor is appointed by the ASCLA Board; the term is renewable upon approval of the Board. The Editor must be a member of ASCLA. 
Summary of Position
  • Interface is the official newsletter of the ASCLA. It supports effective communication by reporting official acts and activities of the units of ASCLA, disseminating substantive articles and special focus issues on latest developments in the fields of interest to ASCLA members, and serving as a communication channel to the broader library and user community.
  • Guided by the editorial policy approved by the ASCLA Board, the editor is responsible for the content, format, and timely publication of Interface and prepares an annual plan indicating topics to be addressed in quarterly issues.
  • The Publications Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the editor and develops guidelines to assist the editor.

 

Specific Responsibilities
  • Establish the annual schedule in consultation with the ASCLA Executive Director and share content deadlines with the ASCLA President and members of the Board, committee chairs, and interest group leaders.
  • Establish a theme for each quarterly issue of Interface, based on regular communication with ASCLA members, section leaders, Board, committees, and staff, breaking news, and activities of interest.
  • Invite articles related to the theme, through personal invitation to a few key authors and through general announcement using the ASCLA listservs and others as appropriate.
  • Gather articles for quarterly publication.
  • Collect signed copyright release forms from each author.
  • Work closely with the ASCLA office to incorporate articles submitted by staff.
  • Edit articles for content, style, and correct grammatical usage, consulting with other experts as needed. The ASCLA Publications Committee serves as an unofficial editorial board, and section leaders and ASCLA Board members are always willing to provide advice and counsel in their areas of expertise.
  • Prepare each issue for posting to the ASCLA website and submit files via e-mail to the ASCLA office.
  • Attend ASCLA Board meetings at ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meetings as non-voting ex-officio member, and attend as many interest group and committee meetings, programs, and other ASCLA-related events as possible.
  • Periodically survey members to determine their satisfaction with Interface and elicit ideas for improvement.
  • Occasionally handle requests for republication and resolve problems.

 

Honoraria ASCLA contributes $1,000 per year to help offset the conference expenses of the Interface editor. In addition the Interface editor receives complimentary registration for both conferences and VIP early registration for hotels.

 

 

IFLA Manifesto for libraries serving persons with a print disability

To improve and promote accessible library and information services to persons with a visual impairment or any other print disability

Lack of access to information is the biggest barrier for persons with a print disability to fully and effectively participate in all aspects of society.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (esp. art. 9, 21 and 24) states that print disabled people have the right to equal access to books, knowledge and information at the same time, cost and quality as everyone else.

There are over 161 million blind and partially sighted people in the world and this number is growing. There are even more people with other print disabilities who cannot effectively read print because of a physical, perceptual, developmental, cognitive, or learning disability. Together this makes up a very large number of people who cannot read a conventional book, magazine or website. Less than 5% of all published materials and reportedly less than 20% of websites are accessible to this target group.

Libraries are a community’s ‘portal’ to information, knowledge and leisure, and their services need to be made accessible for all. Content and technology providers are essential partners in developing these inclusive information and leisure reading services. They should do so by making good use of the emerging possibilities of digitised publishing and delivery.

Statements

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) promotes the right of people with a print disability to equitable access to all library and information services and supports international and territorial legislation that fights disability discrimination

  1. IFLA recommends that all library and information providers, as part of their core services, put in place services, collections, equipment and facilities, which will assist individual users with a print disability to access and use resources that meet their particular needs for information.
  2. IFLA encourages library and information service providers to consult individuals with a disability, and groups representing them, in the planning, development and ongoing delivery of services.
  3. IFLA acknowledges that the best services are provided by professionals who are aware of the needs of, and service options for, people with a print disability. Therefore IFLA encourages all library and information services to ensure that staff are adequately trained and available to work with users with a print disability, and supports career-long professional development and formal library and information studies programs, which will facilitate the strengthening of equitable library and information services to people with a print disability.
  4. IFLA supports efforts to improve access to resources by people with a print disability through service agreements, referrals and sharing of resources between library and information services; and between these and other organisations specialising in services targeted for people with a print disability.

Therefore IFLA encourages the establishment and development of an international network of libraries of accessible materials.

  1. IFLA supports efforts to ensure that copyright legislation enables equal access by people with a print disability to information from all libraries and information providers
  2. In addition to meeting legislative requirements, IFLA encourages the observation of universal design principles, guidelines and standards to ensure that library and information services, collections, technologies, equipment and facilities meet the identified needs of users with a print disability.

Implementing

To promote the implementation of the statements in this document, IFLA encourages:

  • Decision makers at international, national and local levels to continuously develop and execute action plans for library and information services to persons with a print disability
  • Decision makers at international, national and local levels to include in their action plans mechanisms for (self) monitoring the progress made on the implementation
  • All funding bodies to adequately resource library and information services for persons with a print disability

Endorsed by the IFLA Governing Board April 2012

Summer 2014 Interface Available Now!

The new issue of Interface, ASCLA’s quarterly newsletter, is available online now! This issue includes all sorts of relevant information about upcoming events, a recap of ASCLA’s Annual Conference experience, and news from a variety of ASCLA’s interest groups. Access the new issue here.

Interested in submitting an article for publication in the next issue? We welcome articles that cover human interest stories, highlight successful programs or projects, discuss the implementation of workplace and library improvements, cover news from our member interest groups, and just about anything else that you’d like to share with your ASCLA colleagues.

Submissions and inquiries can be sent to Anne Abate, Interface editor, at anne@librarydiscountnetwork.com.

ASCLA’s ALA Annual Conference Highlights!

Stay up-to-date with ASCLA on Twitter  Facebook and stay informed about the ALA Annual Conference at #alaac14

Advanced Registration ends June 20th!

REGISTER for ALA Annual Conference NOW!

ASCLA’s ALA Annual Conference Highlights: *Free to all conference registrants!

ASCLA 101

Join ASCLA as we host our first ASLCA 101, Networking and orientation event. 
Interested, new and current members are welcome. Brief presentation about ASCLA,

networking opportunities, refreshments and raffle prizes! Read more  Add to my schedule

Free to all conference registrants!

ASCLA / COSLA Reception and Award Presentation

Each year, ASCLA honors professional achievement in the areas of work represented by our diverse membership. From awards recognizing projects for services to people with disabilities to citations for service to ASCLA…Read more  Add to my schedule

ASCLA President’s Program 

Connected Learning and Libraries: At the Intersection of the Arts,

Media, New Technologies, and Informal Learning.

Connected Learning is the progressive educational approach intended for our continuously changing world. Read more  Add this to my schedule

Free to all conference registrants!   

Exclusive and Valuable ASCLA Programs

Saturday

Accessible eBooks: Ensuring that Your Library’s eContent is Universally Accessible to All 
As libraries purchase an ever increasing amount of electronic content, questions about universal accessibility become even more important. Read more  Add to my schedule

Whither Library Consortia? 

Based on research for a forthcoming book on library consortia, our co-presenters will discuss changes in the landscape of consortia, e.g., funding, membership, and services as well as innovations designed to add value to membership and enhance the sustainability of consortia.

Read more  Add to my schedule

Creating Fun, Accessible Programming for Youth with Disabilities 
Youth patrons with disabilities are members of every public library’s population. This presentation will review best practices on accessible, engaging and entertaining programs for children of all ages and abilities. Read more  Add to my schedule 

Consulting After Retirement:  Is it Right For You? 
Thinking of retiring?  Want to utilize your skills and expertise on a part-time per project basis?  Is being a library consultant the right career path for you?  Read more  Add to my schedule

Online Inside: Justification, Issues and Solutions for Digital Literacy in Correctional Settings 

Now more than ever individuals housed in US prisons need to be digitally literate if we want to increase their chances of successfully transitioning back into the community. Panelists will discuss the obstacles and talk about what is being done to expose people in prison to the tools they will need for job searching, health and social services, etc. Read more  Add to my schedule

Free and Affordable Apps for Accessibility 

Free and low cost applications for smart phones and tablets have gone beyond simply games and utility functions and can be used to increase accessibility for library patrons of all ages.   Read more  Add to my schedule

Creative Collaborations:  Successful Partnerships that Serve Children with Autism 
Our panel will feature librarians who forged partnerships with outside organizations in order to serve their young patrons with autism in new and exciting ways. Read more  Add to my schedule

Embedding Librarians in Virtual Communities 

This program will share examples of embedding librarianship through MOOCs, wikis, mobile devices, and virtual worlds on an international scale.  Read more  Add to my schedule

Teen Reading Lounge: Engaging Teens through Interactive Humanities based Programming 
Teen Reading Lounge, an interactive book discussion series created by Pennsylvania Humanities Council (PHC) for public libraries to encourage teens to read and talk about literature that matters to them… Read more  Add to my schedule

Temporary Staffing Solutions for Libraries:  A Consortial Approach in Massachusetts 
Libraries in Massachusetts needed assistance meeting short-term staffing needs, while library workers wanted opportunities to earn income, gain experience, and stay connected to the field during unemployment or retirement. The Massachusetts Library System recognized a potential solution that could also generate additional revenue for our collaborative: a temporary library staffing service.  Read more  Add to my schedule

Monday

Tour of Summit View Juvenile Correctional Center Library *Ticketed Event
Experience this unique, exciting, and challenging arena of library services on a tour of the newly re-opened Summit View Youth Correctional Center in Las Vegas. Read more Add to my schedule

Learn more about how, for less than $5 a month plus the cost of ALA membership, can benefit you professionally and personally.
Become a member now at http://www.ala.org/membership or by calling 1-800-545-2433, option 5.

Register for the 2014 ALA Annual Conference here!

In the Margins Book Award and Selection Committee Names its First Top 10 Titles!

In the Margins Book Award and Selection Committee, (ITM) a committee under the umbrella of ASCLA’s Library Services for Youth in Custody (LYSC) Interest Group, selected their first list of 25 titles and a top 10.  In the Margins strives to find the best books for teens living in poverty, on the streets, in custody – or a cycle of all three.

The 2014 top ten are:

  • Asante, M.K. Buck: a Memoir. Spiegel & Grau. August 2013. 272p. HC $25.00. ISBN 9780812993417.
  • Jones, Marilyn Denise. From Crack to College and Vice Versa. Marilyn D. Jones. May 2013. 105p. PB $14.95. ISBN 9780989427401.
  • Langan, Paul.  Survivor. Townsend Press. January 2013. 138p. PB $5.95. ISBN 9781591943044.
  • McKay, Sharon E. War Brothers: The Graphic Novel. Illustrated by Lafance, Daniel.  Annick Press. February 2013. PB $18.95. ISBN 9781554514885.
  • McVoy, Terra Elan. Criminal.  Simon Pulse. May, 2013. 288p. HC $16.99. ISBN 9781442421622.
  • Medina, Meg. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Candlewick. March 2013. 260p. HC $16.99. ISBN 9780763658595.
  • Nussbaum, Susan. Good Kings, Bad Kings. Algonquin Books. November 2013. 304p. PB $14.95.  ISBN 9781616203252.
  • Rivera, Jeff. No Matter What. CreateSpace. October 2013. 112p. PB $5.38. ISBN 9781493544141.
  • Ryan, Darlene. Pieces of Me. Orca Book Publishers. September 2012. 240p. PB $12.95. ISBN 9781459800809.
  • Young, Pamela Samuels. Anybody’s Daughter. Goldman House Publishing.  October 2013. 374p. PB $16.99. ISBN 9780989293501.

“We are pleased with the founding of this list and our efforts of the first year. We have a great list, bringing to national attention books that are new finds and not widely publicized in the library world along with standout books of the year” said Amy Cheney, chair of In the Margins Book Award and Selection committee. “The committee is excited to share these books with you for teens living and interested in the margins of society.”

The full list of 25 titles with annotations and more information on the committee, selections, and process can be found at:

http://www.youthlibraries.org/margins-committee