ASCLA/FAFLRT Merger Voted to Move Forward

two puzzle pieces going together to signify mergerThe Federal and Armed Forces Libraries Round Table (FAFLRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) voted to proceed with merging with the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) division of ALA in the spring 2017 election.

“Our [FAFLRT] diminishing membership has made it difficult for us to ensure representation on affiliated groups and have robust programs and services for federal and armed forces librarians”, said Karl Debus-Lopez, FAFLRT President. “This merger with ASCLA will provide our members with more networking and educational opportunities, access to more financial resources and a dedicated staff provided by ALA; The missions of FAFLRT and ASCLA are closely aligned and there will be the opportunity to create interest group(s) that reflect the needs of federal and armed forces librarians”.

“With such compatible missions and some overlapping membership, the merger makes sense”, said Michael Golrick, ASCLA President. “We’re very excited and confident that we will bring together the strengths of both memberships and let our voices be heard for specialized libraries”.

The merger will allow for a bigger and guaranteed voice in ALA policy setting and an increased presence within ALA, greater ability to advocate for needs of specialized libraries and agencies and staff assistance to allow more programming and career development activities through online learning as well as ability for more robust offering of programming at ALA’s conferences with the assistance of staff. Once finalized, the merger will result in the addition of up to ~300 new members to ASCLA’s current ~800 members.

FAFLRT promotes library and information service and the library and information profession in the federal and armed forces communities; Encourages appropriate utilization of federal and armed forces library and information resources and facilities; and provides an environment for the stimulation of research and development relating to the planning, development, and operation of federal and armed forces libraries. FAFLRT is a supportive network for professional growth and advancement and a focal point for discussion of key information management and technology issues of federal and armed forces libraries.

ASCLA is the premier destination for members to find information and build capacity to serve populations that are served by state library agencies, specialized libraries, library cooperatives and library consultants. ASCLA enhances the effectiveness of library service by advocating for and providing high quality networking, enrichment and educational opportunities for its diverse members.

2017 Election Results!

Thank you to all those who volunteered for roles within ASCLA leadership. We have the results for the 2017 election!

Congratulations to our new board members:

  • Vice-President/President-Elect: Adam Szczepaniak, Jr.
  • Director-at-Large: Lily Sacharow
  • Director-at-Large: Erin Boyington
  • Designated Director, Special Populations: Carrie Scott Banks
  • Designated Director, Library Consultants: Amy Jane Paget

Again, thank you to all that volunteered and congratulations to the winner!

Kathleen Peiffer offers a fond farewell to ASCLA membership

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Dear ASCLA members:

At the end of Annual Conference I concluded my three year term as president elect/ president/past president. I want to thank everyone in the association, as well as the ASCLA office staff, for their support, friendship and willingness to serve the association in so many ways.

Our association continues to grow; however, I hope that we never get so large that members feel “lost”. There is still plenty of work to be done to keep our division “small but mighty”!

Please offer the new ASCLA president, Michael Golrick, your time and talent. We will all be richer for it.

Kathleen Peiffer
State Librarian
New Mexico State Library
Santa Fe, New Mexico

ASCLA 2016 Election Results: Smithee is New ASCLA President-Elect

Congratulations to our new board members! We look forward to a terrific year working with each and every one. Thanks also goes to all who stood for election – it’s very much appreciated!

President-Elect: Jeannette Smithee

Secretary: Wendy Knapp

Director-at-Large: Carson Block

Designated Director, Special Populations: Patrice Johnson

Designated Director, Cooperatives and Networks: Sheryl Knab

Designated Director, State Library Agencies: Mary Soucie

Susan Hornung

ASCLA Executive Director