ASCLA Wiki

Welcome to the ASCLA Wiki! The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association, enhances the effectiveness of library service by providing networking, enrichment and educational opportunities for its diverse members, who represent state library agencies, libraries serving special populations, multitype library organizations and independent librarians.

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General Information on ASCLA

The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) represents state library agencies, specialized library agencies, multitype library cooperatives, and independent librarians.

State library agencies are those organizations created or authorized by the state government to promote library services in the state through the organization and coordination of a variety of library services. ASCLA SLAS is the section that represents members with interests in this area.

Specialized library agencies are those organizations that provide materials and services to meet the information needs of persons whose access to library services and materials is limited because of confinement, sensory, mental, physical, health, or behavioral conditions. ASCLA LSSPS is the section that represents members with interests in this area.

Multitype library cooperatives are combinations, mergers, or contractual associations of two or more types of libraries (academic, public, special, or school) crossing jurisdictional, institutional, or political boundaries, working together to achieve maximum effective use of funds to provide library and informational services to all persons above and beyond those that can be provided through one institution. Such cooperative agencies may be designed to serve a community, a metropolitan area, a region within a region, or may serve a statewide or multistate area. ASCLA ICAN is the section that represents members with interests in this area.

Independent librarians provide services that are outside of the traditional library setting. ASCLA ILEX is the section that represents members with interests in this area.

Within the interests of these types of library organizations, ASCLA has specific responsibility for:

- Development and evaluation of goals and plans for state library agencies and multitype library cooperatives to facilitate the implementation, improvement, and extension of library activities designed to foster improved user services, coordinating such activities with other appropriate ALA units.

- Representation and interpretation of the role, function, and services of state library agencies, specialized library agencies, and multitype library cooperatives within and outside the profession, including contact with national organizations and government agencies.

- Development of policies, studies, and activities in matters affecting state library agencies and multitype library cooperatives relating to: (a) state and local library legislation, (b) state grants-in-aid and appropriations, and (c) relationships among state, federal, regional and local governments, coordinating such activities with other appropriate ALA units.

- Establishment, evaluation, and promotion of standards and services guidelines relating to the concerns of the association.

- Identifying the library interests and needs of all persons, encouraging the creation of services to meet these needs within the areas of concern of the association, and promoting the use of these services provided by state library agencies, specialized library agencies, and multitype library cooperatives.

- Stimulating the professional growth and promoting the specialized training and continuing education of library personnel at all levels in the areas of concern of this association and encouraging membership participation in appropriate type-of-activity divisions within ALA.

Assisting in the coordination of activities of other units within ALA that have a bearing on the concerns of this association.

- Granting recognition for outstanding library service within the areas of concern of this association.

- Acting as a clearinghouse for the exchange of information and encouraging the development of materials, publications, and research within the areas of concern of this association.