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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sign up for National Library Legislative Day 2017.

2017 National Library Legislative Day Logo
Registration for National Library Legislative Day 2017 is open! To find information about the event, to register, or to book a room in the hotel block, please visit ala.org/nlld.

As with previous years, National Library Legislative Day 2017 will be held at the Liaison Hotel in Washington, DC. Briefing day will take place on May 1st, and includes informational sessions about each of the most important legislation issues libraries are facing, as well as advocacy training with experts from the Campaign Workshop. On May 2nd, each state delegation will go to their meetings on the Hill with their elected officials.
Featured issues include:

  • Library funding
  • Privacy and surveillance reform
  • Copyright modernization
  • Access to government information
  • Affordable broadband access
  • Net neutrality protection

Registration this year is $50 and includes entry into a reception held on Capitol Hill, along with a folder full of briefing materials, talking points, and other resources.

To learn more about the event, check out our blog post on District Dispatch.

As always, please feel free to reach out to Lisa Lindle at llindle@alawash.org if you have any questions!

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ASCLA and FAFLRT Merger: Open Forum Set

two puzzle pieces going together to signify mergerUpdate: the recording of the 2/14 open forum can be viewed here.

Dear FAFLRT and ASCLA Members,

As you may be aware, last year ASCLA and FAFLRT began holding conversations about merging our two units. The discussions have been very productive, fostering a cordial environment, encouraging collaboration.

FAFLRT is moving the process further by having their members vote on the merger during the 2017 ALA Elections.

Before the referendum occurs, we want to hold an open forum for members of both organizations to learn about our two groups. This forum will be online, via Adobe Connect, and will feature the presidents of both ALA units. They will provide information about both organizations, give a synopsis of the current situation, outline what a merged unit would look like, and discuss future steps.

Most important is that this will offer an opportunity for you, members of both units, to ask questions and offer feedback.

Here are the details for the forum:

Date: Tuesday, February 14.
Time: 3:00pm EST/2:00pm CST/ 1:00 MST/ 12:00pm PST
PowerPoint Presentation: FAFLRT and ASCLA Proposed Merger_2-13-17. 
Link to log join: https://ala.adobeconnect.com/r6ybsqkoo25/

If you want to join the forum via phone, call:
1-866-718-7314
Participant Code: 91920045#

Also, we want to give people a chance to ask questions anonymously. You may do so by using the Google form linked here: http://bit.ly/2kqWq48. We will attempt to answer as many questions as possible during the time allotted.

The merger proposal from ASCLA can be found here: Proposal for Merger of FAFLRT and ASCLA_2-13-17. We encourage members of both units to read through it and also learn about both organizations through their web sites:

ASCLA: http://www.ala.org/ascla/
FAFLRT: http://www.ala.org/faflrt/

Thanks so much for your membership to both organizations. We’re looking forward to speaking with you on the 14th!

Sincerely,

Karl Debus-Lopez
FAFLRT President

Michael Golrick
ASCLA President

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Join Division-Wide Committee for 2017-2019

A great way to enhance your experience with ASCLA is to join a division-wide committee! We are looking for committee members for 2017-2019. ASCLA committees offer a great way to get involved at the national level and make an impact, while meeting new people and having lots of fun. You can participate even if you can’t attend conferences; ALA’s online community, ALA Connect and other tools offered by the division make virtual participation easy and engaging.

ASCLA is seeking volunteers for committee terms beginning July 1, 2017 for one and two year terms (all terms start July 1 and end June 30)!

Below is a list of committees with current openings. There are lots of ways to share your talents, influence major decisions for the association and make a difference in the library profession. Choose a place where you fit!

If you are interested in serving on one of the committees listed above, login here with your ALA login, choose ASCLA from the drop-down list and complete the form.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
Jeannette Smithee
ASCLA president-elect
smitheejp@gmail.com

Headshot_Jeannette Smithee_ASCLA President-Elect

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ALA President releases statement opposing new administration’s policies

flag, gavel and declaration of independanceOn Monday, January 30, ALA President Julie Todaro released an official statement responding to the recent actions put forth by President Trump’s administration addressing specifically issues regarding access to information, discrimination, and intellectual freedom.

For resources and more information, read the full press release here: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/01/ala-opposes-new-administration-policies-contradict-core-values

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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

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Reminder – Give us your feedback on 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 would like to remind everyone that they are still accepting 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