Rachel Sferlazza 2 September 2015 DLIS Orientation ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN JOIN!

Rachel Sferlazza2 September 2015DLIS Orientation

ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN JOIN!

Getting to Know You--Rachel• Born Nassau County, NY• B.A. History and English (double major), Women’s Studies (minor), Fordham University• Research assistant, History & Medieval Studies

Departments

• Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Library• Special Collections and Archives in an academic setting

• Youth Services Concentration (originally School Media)• Academic Service-Learning project

helped change my mind!

• Amityville Public Library, Children’s Department

What is the ALA?• “The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world, providing association information, news, events, and advocacy resources for members, librarians, and library users.

• Founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the mission of ALA is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”

• http://www.ala.org/aboutala/

What Does the ALA fight for?

• Advocacy for Libraries and the Profession• Education and Lifelong Learning• Intellectual Freedom• Organizational Excellence• Diversity• Equitable Access to Information and Library Services• Literacy• Transforming Libraries

And How About NYLA?• “NYLA leads, educates, and advocates for the advancement of the New York library community…

• NYLA is affiliated with the American Library Association as the New York Chapter of that national body. Members of the state association include librarians of public, system, school, college and university and many special libraries, library trustees, and friends of libraries. From a membership of 43 in 1890, the association has grown to a vital organization of several thousand members, representing not only the libraries of New York State but also including many members, state and institutional, from all over the United States.”http://www.nyla.org/max/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=16&MenuKey=about

NYLA Argues for…• Introduce and influence legislation and policy impacting libraries and

library funding• Assert the position of libraries as an essential part of New York’s

education infrastructure• Communicate the economic impact and contributions of all libraries• Cultivate individuals who can champion libraries at all levels• Promote free, open, and equal access to information• Develop a comprehensive messaging strategy• Tie Library Aid funding to sustainable annual education increases• Pass a bill requiring a certified school librarian in all schools• expanded for elementary schools

• Address e-content access issues• Develop advocacy and communication calendar and create templates

and toolkits• Monitor Civil Service issues

• http://www.nyla.org/max/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=1296&MenuKey=about

Why Join?

• http://www.ala.org/membership/become-ala-member• Connect and network• Advocacy• Resources and advice• Promote professional ethics• Mentor others in the field• Advocate for open access to information, and 21st century literacy

Let’s Join!• You can join ALA and your state’s chapter for one combined price:

http://www.ala.org/groups/joint-membership-program• Here is the form for ALA/NYLA:

https://www.ala.org/cfapps/jntapp/index.cfm?urlcode=ST-NY• You can also opt to join a special interest section of NYLA.• Until 31 August 2016, the rate is $38

• You can simultaneously join other organizations that advocate for your interests:http://www.ala.org/membership/ala-organizational-membership• Affiliates of the ALA you can join:

http://www.ala.org/groups/affiliates/affiliates/current

Please feel free to email me at:[email protected]

QUESTIONS?