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.

Message from Executive Director, Susan Hornung

Dear ASCLA Members:

I look forward to seeing those of you who will be in Atlanta for the Midwinter Conference this year. As many of you know, this is my last conference as ALA staff since I’ll be retiring at the end of April 2017. It has been a wonderful 7½ years getting to know ASCLA members and working to carry out the mission. I am leaving ASCLA in a stronger place – everyone has stepped up to the plate over the last few years and membership has increased and the association has strengthened. You and the association mission are why people want to join. I have felt that ASCLA is the heart and soul of ALA – it has truly been a pleasure and a privilege to serve you.

I hope those of you who will be in Atlanta for Midwinter will take time to visit with us at the ASCLA Happy Hour on ASCLA/COSLA Happy Hour, Friday, January 20, 2017, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Omni Hotels and Resort’s Latitudes Lounge at 100 CNN Center. This is a great opportunity to network, mingle, meet up with old acquaintances (and find some new ones!) and have a little bit of fun. ASCLA’s leaders and volunteers will be available to talk about ASCLA, so be sure to bring a friend or anyone interested in learning more about or joining ASCLA. One of ASCLA’s strengths is that our small size allows us to network and connect with each other better than some of the bigger divisions, and with more fun! All members and visitors are welcome and encouraged to come.

Please try to attend the public hearing for revisions of the standards for libraries serving people who are blind and physically handicapped. Your comments and feedback are needed. The hearing will take place Monday, January 23, 2017, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Room: Georgia World Congress Center, B214. More information can be found here:

https://www.eventscribe.com//2017/ALA-Midwinter/fsPopup.asp?Mode=presInfo&PresentationID=232436.

If you’re interested in volunteering for ASCLA, you might also want to attend the ASCLA All-Committee meeting held on Saturday, January 21, 2017, 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM, Room: Georgia World Congress Center, A410. Many of our committees and interest groups will be meeting and this is a great way to learn more about ASCLA’s work. All are encouraged and welcome to come to these meetings.

Last but not least, the ASCLA board will meet twice in Boston; please feel free to join us as our honored guests. The board meetings will be held:

Board of Directors Meeting I (ASCLA)
Saturday, January 21 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Room: Georgia World Congress Center, B316

Board of Directors Meeting II (ASCLA)
Monday, January 23 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Room: Georgia World Congress Center, B316

Again, I want to thank every ASCLA member and volunteer for their dedication, loyalty and for just being such wonderful people! You are all a joy to work with! I’m going to miss you!

susan hornung headshot in library

Susan Hornung
Executive Director, ASCLA
shornung@ala.org

Signature ASCLA Events in Atlanta

Greetings ASCLA Members, Colleagues and Friends,  

You might want to attend the following events if you will be in Atlanta:

FRIDAY:
ASCLA/COSLA Happy Hour
Friday, January 20 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Room: Omni Hotels and Resort’s Latitudes Lounge at 100 CNN Center. Bring a friend – everyone is invited. Cash Bar.

SATURDAY:
Board of Directors Meeting I
Saturday, January 21 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Room: Georgia World Congress Center, B316

ASCLA Leadership Session
Saturday, January 21 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Room: Georgia World Congress Center, B316

All Committee & Finance and Planning Meeting 
Saturday, January 21 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM Room: Georgia World Congress Center, A410

MONDAY:
Public Hearing for the Revision of the Standards for Libraries Serving People Who are Blind or Physically Handicapped
Monday, January 23 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Room: Georgia World Congress Center, B214

Board of Directors Meeting II
Monday, January 23 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Room: Georgia World Congress Center, B316

You also might be interested in the following ALA meeting: At 2017 Midwinter Meeting, talk to ALA about accessibility for people with disabilities

I hope to see you all in Atlanta!

Best Wishes,
Susan Hornung
ASCLA/RUSA Executive Director
shornung@ala.org

Call for nominations: ASCLA’s Achievement and Recognition awards

seeking excellence image

Call for Nominations

ASCLA has opened the nomination period for its annual series of achievement and recognition awards. Members are encouraged to nominate their colleagues and peers to recognize exceptional library professionals that make a difference in improving the lives of the people they serve. The awards below will be presented at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, June 22-27, 2017.

Nominations and supporting materials must be submitted by February 10, 2017. Click on the links below to find the nomination form and submission instructions.

ASCLA/Keystone Library Automation System (KLAS) National Organization on Disability (NOD) Award
Awarded to 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. $1,000* and a citation. Sponsored by Keystone Systems, Inc.

Francis Joseph Campbell Award
Awarded 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. A medal and a citation.

ASCLA Exceptional Service Award
To recognize exceptional service to patients, to the home bound, 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. A citation.

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. A citation.

Cathleen Bourdon Service Award
This award 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. A citation.

ASCLA, a 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. Find out more about ASCLA at www.ala.org/ascla.

Midwinter 2017: Kitchen Conversation about Accessibility for People with Disabilities

Dear ASCLA Members,

If you will be in Atlanta at Midwinter 2017, please try to attend this series of conversations on accessibility for people with physical, mobility, visual, auditory or cognitive disabilities. All conference attendees are encouraged to take part, whether or not they use accessible services. More information here.

 You all have a very happy holiday and new year!

Susan Hornung

Executive Director, ASCLA/RUSA

 

ASCLA Prepares for New Website Redesign

You may have already noticed some changes to the ASCLA website. That’s because ALA’s website and microsites will be undergoing a redesign in the very near future. In order to prepare and be ready to jump right in to the new web design, ALA divisions are working on moving information, cleaning up broken links and pages, and consolidating and streamlining information when necessary. Some of your bookmarks may change in the process, so we ask for your patience as we clean up the website and are “under construction.” If you can’t find something, please feel free to contact our web manager, Jennifer Cross, jcross@ala.org for assistance.

ASCLA’s Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Interest Group (IGARD) Presents Poster Session at IFLA

The Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Interest Group (IGARD) of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) Division of the American Library Association (ALA) successfully presented a poster at the IFLA WLIC 2016 which was held in Columbus, Ohio from Aug. 13-19, 2016. The poster was entitled “Reconnecting Persons with Dementia to their Libraries: Using Library Materials to Improve the Quality of Life for People Living with Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias”. Approximately 3,100 people from 137 countries visited the Congress.The IGARD poster was one of 203 posters displayed for three days (Aug. 15-17, 2016) within the Exhibition Hall. This location near the vendors ensured high visibility among attendees. During two, two-hour sessions on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, Mary Beth Riedner and IGARD member Erik Johansen chatted about the poster with many interested parties. Over 125 printed handouts were distributed to those who wanted additional information. The poster can be found here: http://library.ifla.org/1574/.

Comments Invited for the First Draft of the 2011 Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

The 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 would like to accept comments on the first, revised draft of the standards. 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, the following promotional videos give a picture of the patrons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udZ6NO5_x-Q and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIKG2HxnYMk.

The first draft of the revised standards is here: http://ascla.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/NLSStandardsandGuidelinesRevision2017-FirstDraft_August2016.pdf.

Comments on the first draft of the revised standards can be provided using the following form: https://goo.gl/forms/rSn2UItG4SY5khUt2.

The 2011 version of the standards is here: http://bit.ly/2cji6br

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 webinar on Serving Library Patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorder

On Tuesday, August 9, 11AM CT, the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) will be hosting a webinar on serving library patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a companion to the Project PALS (Panhandle Autism Library Services) online trainings.

The webinar will be taught by Dr. Amelia Anderson, an expert of educating library professionals on serving patrons with ASD, online communication of people with ASD and students with ASD in academia.

Concluding the webinar, participants will better understand the characteristics and behaviors of a person with ASD in the library; make adjustments and recommendations to their own institution on how to be more inclusive and welcoming; and to provide ASD patrons opportunities for engagement in the library.

Librarians and library staff in public, school, academic and/or special libraries will benefit from this course, which supports ASCLA’s mission for libraries serving special populations, including users with disabilities. More information on this course can be found here.

Registration costs are: ASCLA members: $40; ALA members: $50; ALA student & retired members: $25; Non-members: $65; Group rate: $99 single login, $38/person multiple logins. (min. 2 people). Register here.

ASCLA offering eCourse on Captioning Instructional Videos

Beginning Monday, August 1, 2016, the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) will offer a four-week course on creating and synchronizing captions for library instructional videos for patrons who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Watch the promo video here:

 

Retired librarian and longtime universal access advocate, Kate Todd, will introduce participants to some free tools to use for composing useful and meaningful captions, script preparation and video creation. Participants will be able to discuss usefulness and importance of providing this type of access to instructional videos to patrons who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Librarians and library staff in public, school, academic and/or special libraries will benefit from this course, which supports ASCLA’s mission for libraries serving special populations, including users with disabilities. More information on this course can be found here.

Registration costs are $130 for ASCLA members; $175 for ALA members; $210 for non-ALA members; $100 for student members and retired members. You can register here.