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Call for nominations: ASCLA’s Achievement and Recognition awards
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.
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.
Public Hearing in Orlando for the Revision of the Standards for Libraries Serving People who are Blind or Handicapped, 2011
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) will hold a public hearing at the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando on Sunday, June 26, 2016, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM, in the Orange County Convention Center, Room W105A for the revision of the 2011 Standards for Libraries Serving People who are Blind or Physically Handicapped. The 2011 Standards may be viewed here: http://www.ala.org/ascla/sites/ala.org.ascla/files/content/asclaissues/LCNIS2011Introduction.pdf.
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.
The Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which was last revised in 2011, is the standing document that guides network libraries and staff around the country who provide direct service to eligible individuals and institutions.
Additional information about NLS and the patrons that are served can be found in these promotional videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udZ6NO5_x-Q and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIKG2HxnYMk. A working paper of the current progress of the Working Team can be found here: Working Paper Download.
Comments from the general public are invited and can also be sent to the Working Team here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1z0S1bmXuC0wrEUPWB-PzEBbYIjQyd9PATXEDgIg5nBQ/viewform.
The revision of the standards is supported by a grant from the Library of Congress. The ASCLA President appoints the members of the Working Team and the Advisory Committee, with input from NLS. Library members of both are usually ASCLA members that represent the four regional conferences of network libraries. In addition to network librarians, ASCLA asks the presidents of specific consumer groups to select representative to the committee. Finally, the president of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) is asked for a representative to the committee. The Working Team will receive assistance from a Project Advisory Committee of consumers and librarians that will advise the Team, review draft documents, and serve as a sounding board for the concerns of the groups they represent.
The working and advisory team members are:
Working Team
Eura Ryan Szuwalski, Project Director
Goleta, CA 93117
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
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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
Call for ASCLA Online Learning Proposals!
Submit by March 8, 2016
Access the online course submission form here.
Download this PDF of the online course form to help you prepare your submission.
ASCLA invites ALA members who are subject matter experts and experienced librarians with knowledge of interest to ASCLA members, to submit proposals for ASCLA online learning to be presented between April 2016 and August 2016, as a part of ASCLA’s outstanding online learning offerings. See the list of suggested hot topics below. All proposals must be submitted electronically.
ASCLA members include, but are not limited to:
- Library staff providing services to special populations, including library users with disabilities and adults and youth who are incarcerated or detained
- Independent librarians and consultants
- State libraries and their employees
- Public libraries serving or working with the populations above
- Library networks and cooperatives
What courses are we currently offering? Check them out at the ASCLA online learning webpage.
Webinar presenters and online learning instructors are compensated for their work and will receive training and support for Adobe Connect, the webinar technology platform used by the division.
Proposal topics for courses and webinars may include, but are not limited to the following:
- ADA updates for libraries
- Assessing accessibility knowledge
- Basics and best practices for prison/jail libraries
- Basics of running a hospital/medical library
- Benchmarks and evaluation
- Budgeting for the first time manager
- Collaborative digitization
- Adult programming in correctional libraries
- Correctional/prison librarianship 101
- Creating training for patrons who use accessibility tools
- Data analysis and assessment
- Designing effective surveys
- E-books and cooperatives – best practices
- Future trends in library service
- Grants: how to find grant funding and write your proposal
- Helping library users with learning disabilities
- How to be a consultant
- How to be a futurist
- How to deliver online training
- How to hire a library consultant
- Innovative service ideas for library cooperatives
- Law librarianship for correctional librarians
- Library cooperatives: basics of managing services
- Low-literacy adults
- Marketing library services to special needs populations
- Marketing on a shoestring budget
- Mobile and emerging technologies for those with special needs, including apps and ipads
- Nonprofit leadership
- Outcomes-based education
- Outreach to visually or physically handicapped populations
- Partnering with community organizations
- Serving library patrons with cognitive or mental impairments
- Standards and guidelines to improve library services
- Training staff to serve library users with disabilities
- Utilizing focus groups to prioritize services for people with disabilities
- Working with refugees
Questions about submissions or about ASCLA’s online learning programs should be sent to Andrea Hill, ASCLA web manager and primary online learning contact at ahill@ala.org
New District Dispatch website to highlight federal legislation and policy news that impacts libraries!
December 9, 2014 the American Library Association’s Washington Office launched a new and reinvigorated District Dispatch website that will highlight federal legislation and policy news that impacts libraries. The new District Dispatch makes it easier for library advocates to find important library news, search articles, share news with friends and learn more about library policy issues. Best of all, the new and improved site includes a “Breaking News” feature that makes it easier for library advocates to find the critical information they need to take action. Additionally, the new blog makes it easier for library staff to find free educational webinars.
As we head into a new Congress, ALA members are encouraged to subscribe to the District Dispatch to keep abreast of relevant library policy news, such as library funding opportunities, copyright reform, open access legislation, FCC proceedings and much more. Visit the blog today: http://www.districtdispatch.org.
ASCLA Needs You!
Please consider volunteering for one of the below positions. Help ASCLA move forward in new and exciting ways!
ASCLA liaisons to ALA committees needed:
- Liaisons to the literacy assembly,
- Website advisory committee,
- Website advisory committee/representative on accessibility issues,
- APA certified public library administrator program certification review committee.
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please reply directly to kpeiffer@njstatelib.org
ALA opposes e-book accessibility waiver petition
“ALA and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) renewed their opposition to a petition filed by the Coalition of E-book Manufacturers seeking a waiver from complying with disability legislation and regulation (specifically Sections 716 and 717 of the Communications Act as Enacted by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010). Amazon, Kobo, and Sony are the members of the coalition, and they argue that they do not have to make their e-readers’ Advanced Communications Services (ACS) accessible to people with print disabilities.” Read more here: http://www.districtdispatch.org/2014/10/ala-opposes-e-book-accessibility-waiver-petition/
ASCLA seeks Online Course and Webinar proposals for 2015!
ASCLA encourages subject matter experts and experienced librarians to submit proposals for ASCLA Online Courses and Webinars to be presented November 2014 through August 2015.
Proposals must be submitted by October 24, 2014 for presentation November 2014 through August 2015. Online Courses and Webinars submitted during this open call period will be reviewed and approved by November 14, 2014.
ASCLA welcomes proposals on topics that will assist our diverse membership in improved service delivery and job performance. ASCLA’s members represent libraries serving special populations, including library users with disabilities, and adults and youth who are incarcerated or detained; independent librarians and consultants; state library agencies and their employees, public libraries serving or working with the previously cited populations and institutions; and library networks and cooperatives. Staff of these libraries and agencies include librarians, library paraprofessionals, and library support staff.
The online course proposal form can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/asclaonlinecourse2015
Attendees are charged a fee to participate in the course and receive a certificate upon completion. The fee includes ongoing access to an archived version of the course. Instructors will be paid a one-time course/curriculum development fee of $1,000 to set up the course initially, and $40 per participant thereafter.
The webinar proposal form can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/asclawebinar2015 .
Webinar presenters will be paid $150 for each webinar presented and will receive training and support for Adobe Connect, the webinar technology platform used by the division. Webinars are generally 1-1 ½ hours long.
Proposal topics for online courses and webinars may include, but are not limited to the following:
- ADA updates for libraries
- Adult programming in a correctional library
- Basics of a good prison/jail library
- Best practices in correctional librarianship and providing services to the incarcerated
- Consulting: marketing your services
- Demonstration and review of current accessibility products
- Ebooks
- Emerging technologies in accessibility products and services, including screen readers, mobile devices, IPADS, etc.
- Evaluating and improving cooperative services;
- Future trends in library service;
- Grants: best practices for finding funding and writing proposals
- Group purchasing best practices
- Hiring library consultants: best practices
- How to be a futurist
- Marketing library services to people with disabilities
- Marketing on a shoestring budget
- New apps that assist library users with special needs
- Providing library services to people with cognitive or mental impairments
- Review of best practices, standards and guidelines to improve library services
- Technology trends for people with disabilities
Questions about submissions or about ASCLA’s online learning and webinar programs may be sent to Andrea Hill, ASCLA web manager and online learning liaison at ahill@ala.org.