Act now! Save IMLS!

we the peopleLast week The White House released the proposed budget that calls for eliminating the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency charged with providing support to the nation’s hundreds of thousands of libraries and museums. ALA and ASCLA need your help to ensure that IMLS is saved, because without libraries people will not have the access to resources and support they need to succeed in school, careers, their communities and their everyday lives.

Here’s how you can help right now:

  • Use the sample messages in this form to contact the offices of your members of Congress.
  • Sign up via this web page to receive updates on the #SaveIMLS effort.
  • Start planning how you and other library advocates will participate in National Library Legislative Day on May 2 in Washington D.C.
  • Can’t make it to D.C.? Register for Virtual Library Legislative Day! We’ll send you a reminder to take action, along with a link to the live webcast of our keynote and issue briefing on the morning of May 1st. We’ll also send you the talking points, give you access to email templates, and other resources to help you take action.
  • Join and track the conversations #SaveIMLS, #LibrariesRespond.
  • Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to do take these actions, too!

Don’t know much about IMLS?  Here’s a quick overview: through IMLS, every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories receive funding to support their state’s libraries and museums. In FY14 the total funding IMLS distributed to states and territories was $154,800,000. In addition, IMLS offers competitive grant opportunities that individual libraries and museums can apply for.  In FY14 they awarded 594 grants (from 1,299 applications) totaling more than $54,700,000. Visit the IMLS site to see how much funding your state receives from them.

Timing is key, make our priorities clear to Congress!

Feedback Request: Draft #2 of the Standards for Libraries Serving People who are Blind or Physically Handicapped.

ada logoThe Working Team for the revision of the 2011 Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped invite you to make comments on the second, revised draft of the standards, found here.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, is the administrator for the free informational and recreational reading resources for residents of the United States who are unable to read or use standard print materials because of visual or physical impairment. For those seeking a better understanding of the NLS service, view these promotional videos to give a picture of the patrons. The 2011 version of the standards is here.

This revision is supported by a grant from the Library of Congress and administered by ASCLA.

Working Team

  • Eura Ryan Szuwalski, Project Director
  • Danielle H. Miller, Director & Regional Librarian, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library. Representing the Western Conference
  • Will Reed, OLBPD Manager, Cleveland Public Library/Ohio Library for the Blind & Physically Disabled. Representing the Midlands Conference

Advisory Team

  • Eura Ryan Szuwalski, Project Director
  • Adam Szczepaniak, New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center. Representing the Northern Conference
  • Dr. Nancy Pack, Director, Alabama Public Library Service. Representing Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)
  • Kim Charlson, President, American Council of the Blind. Representing the American Council of the Blind
  • David Hyde, Chairperson, Library Services Committee Chairperson. Representing the National Federation of the Blind
  • Melanie Brunson, Director, Government Relations. Representing the Blinded Veterans Association
  • Ava M. Smith, Division Director, Talking Book Program, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Representing the Southern Conference

ASCLA’s 2017 Nominees

Vote on keyboardASCLA is very happy to announce the candidates standing for office for the division and sections in 2017. Thanks very much to those willing to volunteer their time, energy and skills for ASCLA – the smallest but mightiest division of ALA! The 2017 elections opened on March 13, 2017 and will close on April 5, 2017. Results will be announced on April 12, 2017. Read all the election details here.

VICE-PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT-ELECT
Tracy Rochow Byerly          MO
Adam Szczepaniak, Jr.        NJ

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Lily Sacharow                      NY
Erin Boyington                    CO
Brenda Hough                     KS (if voting for Hough, please write-in her name)

Designated Director, Special Populations
Carrie Scott Banks              NY

Designated Director, Library Consultants
Amy Jane Paget                   IN

Biographies may be found here.

AC17 Preconference: Unconference Accessibility and Education, and its implications for Library Services

ALA annual conference logoAs we mark the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, it is critical to focus on making education as accessible as possible. This unconference will be a gathering that that will examine accessibility and education and its implications for library services. This will be an unconference, and thus be focused on building community, and helping each conference participant ask questions, and move together toward a more accessible future for their libraries. This unconference is set for Friday, June 23, 9am-4pm.

Ticket prices:

Category Early Bird Advance Onsite
Member $238 $248 $298
Other Member $218 $228 $278
NonMember $248 $258 $308
ASCLA Member $198 $208 $258

Purchase tickets here.

AC17 Preconference: Becoming a Dementia Friendly Library: Serving People Living with Dementia in Your Community

ALA annual conference logoWithin the next 10 years the number of Americans living with dementia is expected to rise to 7.1 million. Now is the time to begin addressing the needs of this too often forgotten population. Libraries should be at the forefront of the Dementia Friendly initiative that is emerging across the country. This preconference, set for Friday, June 23 9am-4pm, will provide both background and tools for designing and implementing library programs and services that will transform lives in your community.

Ticket prices:

Category Early Bird Advance Onsite
Member $229 $239 $289
Other Member $209 $219 $269
NonMember $239 $249 $299
ASLCA Member $189 $199 $249

Purchase tickets here.