Liz, ASCLA Staff – ASCLA Blog

October 1, 2013

Nomination period now open for ASCLA awards recognizing service to profession and outstanding service to special populations

The Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) is now accepting nominations for its 2014 awards which recognize projects focused on library services to people with disabilities; the advancement of library services for the blind and physically handicapped; exceptional achievement in extension and outreach services; exemplary leadership and achievement in consulting, state library services and library cooperatives; and service to ASCLA.

Each of these five prestigious awards–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 Award–highlights the areas of work represented by ASCLA, a division of ALA. The nomination deadline for all awards is February 1, 2014. Click on the award names below to access each award’s webpage for more information, including nomination criteria and links to nomination forms, which are available in both PDF and Word format. Submission instructions are on each nomination form. Questions about the ASCLA awards program should be sent to Susan Hornung (shornung@ala.org) or 312-280-4395.

The ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award is sponsored by ASCLA, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and Keystone Systems, Inc. This $1,000 award and citation are given to a library organization that has provided services for people with disabilities. The 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 Francis Joseph Campbell Award honors a person or institution for outstanding and 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; or any activity of recognized importance. The award is sponsored by Keystone Systems, Inc. and the Southern Conference of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress.

The Exceptional Service Award recognizes exceptional service to patients, to persons who are homebound, to people of all ages who live in group homes or residences and to inmates, as well as to recognize professional leadership, effective interpretation of programs, pioneering activity and significant research or experimental projects. The recipient receives a citation.

The Leadership and Professional Achievement Award is a citation presented to one or more ASCLA members (personal or organizational) exemplifying leadership and achievement in the following areas: consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide services and programs and state library development.

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.

Those interested in submitting a nomination may download the appropriate award nomination form from the awards section of the ASCLA website. Nominations for all awards must be received by Feb. 1, 2014. Submission information can be found on each nomination form. Contact ASCLA Executive Director Susan Hornung with any questions: shornung@ala.org or 312-280-4395.

September 12, 2013September 11, 2013

Meet the ASCLA Board of Directors: Chris Corrigan, Designated Director of Special Populations

Throughout the coming weeks on this blogspace, we’ll be profiling members of the ASCLA Board of Directors, and it’s the perfect opportunity to learn a bit more about these amazing leaders! Does something in their replies pique your interest? Reach out to them via their contact info at the end of the post. A little networking goes a long way towards improving your personal and professional life.

Chris Corrigan

Digital Reference Librarian, Library of Congress, NLS/BPH

ASCLA Designated Director of Special Populations

Why did you join ASCLA? I joined ASCLA because it is an appropriate fit to connect with library professionals who work with diverse populations of patrons.

How has ASCLA helped you in your career? Because of my familiarity with the Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, I was able to cite them while referencing my experience when applying for my new position.

What are some of the ASCLA activities you’ve participated in? ASCLA Board, Web Presence Committee, Universal Access Interest Group

What is the current hot topic in your area of library work? How can ASCLA/ALA help address this issue? NLS is about to roll out a new iOS app for the BARD service. ASCLA could help by assisting in developing methodology for ascertaining patron feedback.

Tell us about your current role at your library/institution, and maybe a little bit about your career path, too. I just started as the new Digital Reference Librarian with NLS. Currently, my role is to help update our reference publications with relevant material of interest to people with disabilities, those who work with people with disabilities, their families, or anyone one else who has a general interest. In addition, I am continuing to manage, maintain and update NLS’ reference collection of material pertaining to people with disabilities.
Prior to joining NLS, for four years (from January 2009 to May 2013) I was a Library Associate (LA) with the Adaptive Services Division of the DC Public Library (DCPL). This position was unique from other LA positions in the DCPL system because it was within an NLS network library. This allowed me to be creative and innovative in my work with patrons with disabilities. I created a curriculum for teaching basic computer skills with adaptive technology, maintaining two instructional websites for students to refer to, performed individualized reader’s advisory work with patrons confined to their homes and worked with professionals in the web accessibility and assistive technology field.
I hope to continue on this career path by learning from the many mentors I have met and will meet in order to better serve my patrons and become a strong contributor to the field.

Describe a particularly rewarding experience in your library career. Using the curriculum I developed with Adaptive Services, I created series of small classes for visually impaired adults. These classes culminated in a graduation ceremony where the students invited their families to celebrate with them as they were recognized for their accomplishments. I was overjoyed to observe the pride they had for themselves in their accomplishment.

What are you currently reading or listening to? I just checked out four books from the library and am trying to decide which to read: Jussi Alder-Olsen’s The Keeper of Lost Causes, David Benioff’s City of Thieves, Umberto Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum and Umberto Eco’s The Prague Cemetery.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself. I grew up playing, running and walking my dog in the same place Walt Whitman once nursed Union soldiers.

Any hobbies? Running.

Who is your hero? S. R. Ranganathan. I think it is important to remember that our’s is a service profession and we are there for the people we serve not ourselves. Whenever I forget this I look to Ranganathan’s 5 Rules of Library and Information Science:

1. Books are for use

2. Every reader his/her book

3. Every book its reader

4. Save time for the reader

5. The library is a growing organism.

Reach Chris at corrigancj -at- yahoo (dot) com or 202-707-9286.

September 11, 2013

Meet the ASCLA Board of Directors: Lori Guenthner, Designated Director of Special Populations

Lori Guenthner
Youth Services Coordinator, Maryland State Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
ASCLA Designated Director of Special Populations

Why did you join ASCLA? I joined ASCLA because its members are like me: librarians, library agencies and staff serving populations with special needs.
How has ASCLA helped you in your career? ASCLA has given me leadership opportunities – serving on the board and chairing the membership promotion committee.
What are some of the ASCLA activities you’ve participated in? I’ve participated in ASCLA LSSP (Libraries Serving Special Populations) Library Services to People with Visual or Physical Disabilities that Prevent Them from Reading Standard Print Interest Group. I am a member of the Maryland e-Content Advisory Committee so I like discussing accessible technology. I’ve also submitted webinar ideas.
Are there any hot topics in your area of library work? How can ASCLA help? A current hot topic in my area of library work is inclusion in children’s programming. I’d like to see ASCLA partner with ALSC or YALSA to offer webinars/conference programming on inclusion.
Tell us about your current role at your library, and a little bit about your career path, too. I work with children and young adults, from birth to age 21. I present story times and organize the summer reading program (and a lot of other things). I started in the public libraries as a generalist. I’m not sure where my career path will lead, but I love working with people.
Describe a rewarding experience in your library career. The most rewarding experience for me is getting a phone call or email from a young person excited about the National Library Service program.
What are you currently reading and/or listening to? I just started reading The Silent Wife by A.S.A Harrison and I hope it’s better than Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
One fun fact about me: I went to college to be a journalist.
Any hobbies? Running.
Who is your hero? My hero is my dad. He’s the one who would get me ready for school each morning.

Reach Lori at lguenth -at- lbph.lib.md.us.

September 4, 2013September 25, 2013

ASCLA 2014 Midwinter workshops: leadership success, online course design and how to become a library consultant

Designing online courses, the secrets to successful leadership and how to become a library consultant are some of the exciting topics to be addressed at institutes offered by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) at the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and innovative division of the American Library Association, is known for high quality educational events that offer skills and information to transform your library or your career. These 2014 Midwinter institutes continue this outstanding tradition with three institutes and one networking luncheon scheduled between Thursday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 25.

All of these events require advance ticket purchase, however registration for the 2014 Midwinter Meeting is not required in order to purchase a ticket. Bundle registration for 2014 Midwinter institutes, the 2014 Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference will open on Sept. 9. Regular Midwinter meeting registration will open on Oct. 1. ASCLA members receive the best registration rates on all of these events; learn more about ASCLA and join today.

Visit www.alamidwinter.org/bundle beginning Sept. 9 for more information about Bundle registration. Additional meeting information can be found at www.alamidwinter.org.

This year’s Midwinter institutes and events hosted by ASCLA are:

Designing Online Courses for Significant Learning Experiences
8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24
Are you a teaching librarian currently offering an online course but looking for ways to enhance the course structure and content? Are you a seasoned professional with special skills and expertise that you see a market for via an e-course? Developing and teaching online courses that create the best possible learning experiences for student participants is both an art and a science. Using a collaborative, hands-on approach, presenters Dr. Stewart Ross and Linda Jacoby of internationally known consulting firm Dee Fink and Associates will guide institute participants through the (re)design of an online course using an integrated course design template. At the end of the workshop, participants will have the skills and confidence to assist others in the development of online courses, or to develop their own online training modules or courses. The techniques applied in this session can also be applied to face-to-face course development. All participants will receive certificates of participation. REGISTRATION RATES: ASCLA members, $279; ALA members, $299; non-ALA members, $349; Student/Retired members of ALA, $229.

Knowing You, Knowing Them: The Secret to Successful Leadership
9 a.m. – 4 p.m, Friday, Jan. 24
One of the biggest challenges of leading others is understanding what makes them tick. This full-day workshop will help you understand both yourself in light of your leadership responsibilities and those who work for you. Instead of offering a checklist or template of how-tos, presenter Linda Bruno, MBA, will focus on the human element of leadership. You will leave this session with insights into personalities, emotional intelligence, dealing with change and creating a motivating environment – secrets that can help you be a more successful leader! Linda has presented several workshops for ASCLA and receives rave reviews for her content and presentations. REGISTRATION RATES: ASCLA members, $279; ALA members, $299; non-ALA members, $339; Student/Retired members of ALA, $229.

Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to be a Successful Library Consultant
1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23 and 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24

ASCLA – the home to library consultants and independent librarians within ALA – is bringing back its wildly successful, sell-out workshop! Seasoned consultants Nancy Bolt and Liz Bishoff will present an overview of the consultant’s role and guide you through an active and engaging self-assessment to uncover your unique consulting potential and strengths. Takeaways include marketing tips, pricing your services, responding to RFPs, finding clients, business management strategies and so much more. Note that this event is held over two days–Thursday afternoon and Friday morning–with an opportunity for networking on Thursday evening. This institute will not be offered in Las Vegas, so don’t miss out on this opportunity! REGISTRATION RATES: ASCLA members, $279; ALA members, $299; non-ALA members, $339; Student/Retired members of ALA, $229.

Consultants Networking Luncheon hosted by ASCLA Library Consultants Interest Group
12 – 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25,
Lunch and learn with colleagues! This event provides an opportunity for consultants and independent librarians to make connections with other professionals. We’ll also have an hour of education focused on valuable skills for consultants; last year’s event covered icebreaker activities, refining your elevator speech and Twitter. The event is hosted by ASCLA’s Library Consultants Interest Group (http://connect.ala.org/node/151445). Whether you’re new to consulting or have decades of experience, please join this fun group for some peer-to-peer networking and education. REGISTRATION RATES: ASCLA members, $79; ALA members, $95; non-ALA members, $99; Student/Retired members of ALA, $79.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

September 3, 2013

Meet the ASCLA Board of Directors: Stacey Aldrich, Past President

Stacey Aldrich

Stacey A. Aldrich

State Librarian, State Library of Pennsylvania

ASCLA Past-President

Why did you join ASCLA? ASCLA is a great organization for meeting and working with colleagues who do similar work nationally.

Are there any hot topics in your area of library work? How can ASCLA help with these subjects? There are many hot topics in state library work. Two key topics are broadband and leadership. ASCLA is a great venue for providing leadership opportunities for state library staff to support these topics.

Tell us a bit about your career path. Currently, I am the State Librarian in Pennsylvania. Most recently I was the State Librarian of California. I also worked at the Division of Library Development and Services in Maryland. I have spent the majority of my career in state librarians, but have also worked in academic, public, and special libraries. I also worked for a futuring think tank in Washington DC. My focus has been on proactiving building the future of libraries.

What do you find rewarding about your library work? Each day is a new experience and provides a new learning and reward. Being a mentor in the Eureka! Library Leadership program has been one of my favorite experiences. Meeting and working with colleagues to build new connections, new skills, new attitudes and forward momentum for libraries has been fantastic.

Fun fact about me: I am a total space geek. I had an opportunity to meet briefly Al Worden, who flew on Apollo 15. Even got a hug from a man who has traveled to the moon.

Hobbies: I love movies and music.

Hero: Gosh, there are so many for so many reasons.

Reach Stacey at saldrich -at- pa (dot) gov.

September 3, 2013September 4, 2013

Meet the ASCLA Board of Directors: Sara Laughlin, President

Sara Laughlin

Director, Monroe County Public Library

ASCLA President

I joined ASCLA shortly after I became coordinator of a multitype consortium in 1980, because I discovered that all the consortia directors from around the country were there. I wanted to meet them, share ideas, and keep up with what was going on. For the next 17 years, I really enjoyed participating in lots of different ways, edited a couple of consortia publications, and eventually served at chair of the multitype consortium section (can’t remember its exact name now).

And then I became a consultant and got involved with the consultant’s section (now interest group). Over the next 10 years, many of my clients came through my friendships and ASCLA connections with state library and consortia leaders and consultants from around the country. For eight years, I served as editor of Interface, a job that introduced me to the dedicated librarians who work with people with disabilities and kept me in touch with the best practices of state libraries and consortia.

In 2007, I was asked to become interim director of my own Monroe County Public Library, a really great institution that I’d long admired. After eight months, the Board made me director. I’m now managing a budget of $10 million, 160 employees, two large facilities, and outreach, adult literacy, and community access television services. Although it’s not a picnic every day, when I look back over six years, I can see that we’ve come a long way. Every day, I use the leadership, problem-solving, communications, and process improvement skills that I learned in earlier positions, consulting and in ASCLA.

As vice president last year and president this year, it’s been a great pleasure to witness the creativity and passion of ASCLA members and given me a chance to meet more members.

On the personal side, I love to canoe, hike, knit, sew, and read. I get more opportunities now to share discussions about reading and recently joined a book group for the first time. This week, my husband and I moved from our home of 25 years to another a few miles away. Our plan is to build a house next door to the next one, in the beautiful, five-acre, wooded ridge overlooking a lush ravine. That ought to keep us busy for the next year or so.

My heroes: Betty Martin (retired director of the Vigo County (Ind.) Public Library); Marcia Capuano (retired assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Lawrence Township (Ind.) Schools); Dorothy Crenshaw (retired chief information officer at Indianapolis Public Schools); and Sharman Smith (retired state librarian of Mississippi and Iowa before that).

Contact Sara at laughlin -at- mcpl (dot) info or 812-34-3056.

August 23, 2013August 21, 2013

Meet the ASCLA Board of Directors: Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer, President-Elect/Vice President

Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer

Deputy State Librarian for Lifelong Learning

New Jersey State Library

Kathi is also ASCLA’s President-Elect, and completed a different Q&A session back in the spring–you can read it here.

Why did you join ASCLA? I joined ASCLA as it was the best professional “fit” within ALA once I began my work at a state library.
How has ASCLA helped you in your career? ASCLA has helped me in my career by the ability to meet so many talented and interesting people from which I have learned so much, especially about leadership.
What are some of the ASCLA activities you’ve participated in (committee volunteering, etc.)? I’ve participated in the State Library Agency Section, the Membership Committee, the President’s Program Committee and as Secretary on the ASCLA Board.
What is the current hot topic in your area of library work? How can ASCLA/ALA help address this issue? Ebooks are a hot topic for everyone. ASCLA can help by the discussions we have at board meetings on this and a variety of issues.
Tell us about your current role at your library/institution, and maybe a little bit about your career path, too. I currently work with three project specialists with expertise in such areas as youth services, diversity and outreach to small business. I worked in public libraries for most of my career which was excellent preparation for State Library work.
Describe a particularly rewarding experience in your library career. My most rewarding experience in my library career was being part of the team that brought up staff and public Internet access at the Durham County Library in Durham North Carolina.
What are you currently reading or listening to? I just finished Jill McCorkle’s book Life after Life and am saving other favorite authors for my upcoming August vacation.
Give one fun fact about yourself. I trained for a sprint triathlon that I never got to participate in, but I will finish one in my lifetime!
Any hobbies? See “fun fact” above!
Who is your hero? My heroes are my children as I watch them each find their own path in the world.

Reach Kathi at kpeiffer -at- njstatelib (dot) org.

August 21, 2013August 22, 2013

Meet the ASCLA Board of Directors: Liz Bishoff, Division Councilor

Liz Bishoff

Consultant, The Bishoff Group

ASCLA Division Councilor, 2012-2015

Why did you join ASCLA? I was the chair of an unaffiliated organization of people who managed statewide and regional digital collaboratives, we saw ASCLA and ICAN (former Interlibrary Cooperation And Networking Section of ASCLA) as a natural home for us.
How has ASCLA helped you in your career? As with other ALA organizations, it provides a means of networking with people who have common interests. As a consultant I can share interests and challenges and opportunities with other consultants
What are some of the ASCLA activities you’ve participated in (committee volunteering, etc.)? ASCLA board, preconference presenter, task forces, Councilor, leadership sessions
Describe a particularly rewarding experience in your library career. Too many rewarding experiences–it’s been a fantastic career–the development of the digital environment has offered exciting opportunities to work with other cultural heritage organizations as well as all types of libraries
Who is your hero? My mom is my hero–she refused to fit into the mold of the 50’s mom.

Reach Liz at liz (dot) bishoff -at- gmail (dot) com, or catch her in person at the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia where she’ll be presenting at the ASCLA Midwinter Institute “Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to be a Successful Library Consultant.

August 16, 2013

Volunteers wanted! ASCLA awards committee seeks virtual participants

We are seeking a few additional members to volunteer for the ASCLA Awards Committee! Could it be you?!

Keep reading for more information about the committee and its responsibilities. If you’re interested in participating, please send an e-mail to the following people prior to Sept. 1: ASCLA President Sara Laughlin (saraglaughlin@gmail.com, Award Committee Chair Will Reed (will.reed@cpl.org) and ASCLA Marketing and Programs Manager Liz Markel (lmarkel@ala.org) with the subject line “ASCLA Awards Committee Volunteer.”

What does the ASCLA Awards Committee do? What are my obligations as a committee member? The role of the awards committee is to promote the open nomination period for the awards each fall, with help from the ASCLA office. Once the nominations have been received, the committee meets virtually to review the nomination materials and select winners. Committee members also help gather information about winners via phone and e-mail that supports the announcement and promotion of the winners by the ASCLA office.

How often do we meet? Do I have to attend conferences? The work of the committee is done virtually, so no conference attendance is required. Awards are presented at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception at the ALA Annual Conference; committee members are encouraged to attend and participate if they are attending the conference, but it’s not required. The committee meets approximately quarterly via phone and also engages in virtual conversations using ALA Connect.

What kind of person/skills are you looking for to serve on this committee? We are looking for members to represent the state library, consulting/independent librarians and consortia/networking constituencies of ASCLA on this committee. We are also looking for members who are willing to do a little virtual work engaging the library community to spread the word about the awards and help find nominees, thoughtfully contribute to the nominee review process and correspond by e-mail or phone with a winner or two to publicize the award in the spring.

ASCLA offers five awards annually—here’s a brief overview:

ASCLA/Keystone Library Automation System (KLAS)/National Organization on Disability (NOD) Award A $1,000 award and certificate for a library organization that has provided services for people with disabilities. The award recognizes an innovative and well-organized project which 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 their total services more accessible through changing physical and/or attitudinal barriers.
Francis Joseph Campbell Award A citation and a medal presented to a person or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped. This contribution may take the form of 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; imaginative contribution to library administration, reference, circulation, selection, acquisitions, or technical services; or any activity of recognized importance.
ASCLA Exceptional Service Award A citation presented to recognize exceptional service to patients, to the homebound, to people of all ages who live in group homes or residences, and to inmates, as well as to recognize professional leadership, effective interpretation of programs, pioneering activity, and significant research of experimental projects.
ASCLA Leadership & Professional Achievement Award This prestigious award is presented to one or more ASCLA members (personal or organizational) exemplifying leadership and achievement in one or more of the following areas: consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide services and programs and state library development.
Cathleen Bourdon Service Award This citation is presented to an ASCLA personal member for outstanding service and leadership to the division. The award recognizes sustained leadership and exceptional service through participation in activities which have enhanced the stature, reputation, and overall strength of ASCLA; and representation of ASCLA to other appropriate organizations, institutions, or governmental agencies.

If you’re interested in participating, please send an e-mail to the following people prior to Sept. 1: ASCLA President Sara Laughlin (saraglaughlin@gmail.com, Award Committee Chair Will Reed (will.reed@cpl.org) and ASCLA Marketing and Programs Manager Liz Markel (lmarkel@ala.org) with the subject line “ASCLA Awards Committee Volunteer.”

August 7, 2013

Leadership Opportunity: ASCLA Nominating Committee seeks candidates, gives you the inside scoop on serving ASCLA

The ASCLA Nominating Committee, chaired by ASCLA member Ray James, seeks applicants for vacant board positions to be elected early in 2014. Read on to learn more about the available positions and what each of them entails. To express interest in a position or ask questions about serving on the ASCLA board, contact Ray at erayjames@gmail.com.

With apologies to the memory of JFK, “Ask not only what ASCLA can do for you, but also what can you do for ASCLA.”

Each spring, the American Library Association holds elections for various leadership positions throughout the association. ASCLA has five leadership positions available in the next election cycle with service to start after the end of the 2014 Las Vegas Annual Conference. If you are a current member of ASCLA and active with any of the interest groups with open board seats, then you are eligible for leadership roles in one ALA’s fastest growing divisions!

The positions to be filled are:

President-Elect 2014-2015 (a 3 year commitment–2014 through 2017–that includes the president-elect year, presidential year, and past president year);
Director-at-Large 2014-2016 (2 year term);
Designated Director, Cooperatives and Networks 2014-2016 (2 year term);
Designated Director, Special Populations 2014-2016 (2 year term);
and Designated Director, State Library Agencies 2014-2016 (2 year term).

As a potential candidate, the first two questions that may come to mind are “What do I have to do?” and “Do I have to go to conferences?”

The basic answer to the first question comes from a statement of responsibilities that goes to everyone who expresses an interest in serving of the ASCLA Board of Directors. In a nutshell for the Designated Directors:

Serves on the ASCLA board as a representative of one of the following typesof library organizations, constituencies or agencies: state library agencies, library agencies and individuals which provide library materials and service to populations with special needs, library cooperatives, and library consultants or independent librarians.
Serves on the ASCLA Interest Group Coordinating Committee (IGCC)
Assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the president.

Directors-at-Large represent ASCLA as a whole rather than a particular interest group and do not serve on the IGCC. Service is for two years which begins at the close of the Annual conference in the year of election and ends at the close of Annual conference two years later. The Vice-President/President-Elect role is more expansive.

What does this all mean? At a bare minimum it means going to board meetings and staying awake. No one ever does just the bare minimum. Until ASCLA implements a virtual meeting standard, directors and other association officers need to attend the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference during their term of service, though there may be virtual board meetings that take place outside of these twice annual face-to-face meetings.

The prestige of serving on ASCLA board is often impetus from a librarian’s workplace to provide financial support for attending these conferences. Some directors choose to fund the experience themselves. In my opinion, the real pleasure from serving as a director is interacting with other professionals from such diverse areas as correctional librarianship to those who provide service to people with physical or intellectual limitations to consultants to those who work in state libraries. By learning about the issues and solutions in librarianship from this multiplicity of backgrounds, every director expands his or her horizons. Think of it as networking on steroids.

For those in the profession for many years working on the ASCLA Board can be a reward for years of service and a chance to mentor younger members of the profession. For the younger members of the profession taking a leadership role is not just a resume builder but also an opportunity to learn, network, and influence the future of the profession.

For me personally, serving on the ASCLA board meant some of all of above plus travels to Chicago, Anaheim, Dallas, Denver, San Diego, New Orleans, and Seattle. It meant expanding my perceptions far beyond my job. It meant a sense of accomplishment from helping to guide changes in ASCLA, helping introduce new faces and ideas to ASCLA leadership, and taking part in expanding not only the membership numbers but also the perceptions of ALA members and non-ALA folks about ASCLA and its mission “to enhance the effectiveness of library service by advocating for and providing high quality networking, enrichment and educational opportunities for its diverse members, who represent state library agencies, libraries serving special populations, library cooperatives, and library consultants.”

Interested in throwing your hat in the ring, or at least exploring your options? Contact the Nominating Committee via Committee Chair Ray James at erayjames@gmail.com to get the ball rolling!