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Promoting library service and the profession of librarianship in the State of Arkansas since 1911. President’s Note: At this year’s annual conference we will be electing two officers for the ArLA Board who will begin serving in 2014. They are Vice-President / President-Elect and President. In April, Holly Mercer, who was elected last year for Vice-President/President-Elect, resigned. The Executive Board elected (per our constitution guidelines) Devona Pendergrass to act as interim Vice-President / President-Elect until the election in October at the Fall Conference. Due to unforeseen circumstances and timing, nominees will not be listed in the summer edition of Arkansas Libraries. However, they will be listed on the website. Please submit your nomination here. Submit nominations for ALPS' officers here. ArLA President Welcome MessageI'd like to personally welcome you to the Association website. We are pleased to have a website Chair and committee who will be working diligently to keep the site up to date with current and relevant information for members, prospective members, and visitors. It's an exciting yet challenging time in our profession as we grow and adapt to the changing roles of libraries and the patrons we serve. I believe libraries are the "heart" of their communities and "the beat must go on." It is important to stay united in order to strengthen our position in the world of technology. We must find innovative ways to connect with our patrons, communities, and other members of our profession. Our website is one way of connecting and bringing awareness of networking events for the current year. The website contains information on the organization, current and back issues of the Arkansas Libraries Journal publication, association forms, job line link and an A-Z link for other helpful information. Browse our website and bookmark it today. I hope you will enjoy your visit and please check back often for new updates. We as an Association are ready to travel down every road making connections and meeting the needs of our communities. Please join us for a wonderful journey. Trish Miller, Remington College ArLA Membership
Our MissionTo further the professional development of all library staff members; to foster communication and cooperation among librarians, trustees and friends of libraries; to increase the visibility of libraries among the general public and funding agencies; to serve as an advocate for librarians and libraries. Background The Arkansas Library Association was formed in 1911: To further the professional development of all library staff members; to foster communication and cooperation among librarians, trustees and friends of libraries; to increase the visibility of libraries among the general public and funding agencies; to serve as an advocate for librarians and libraries. ArLA has supported Arkansas' academic, public, school, and special libraries. In the past 100 years the association has had many successes; we established a state library commission, begun an association publication, established salary guidelines, supported the continuing education of librarians, and protected intellectual freedom. In 1911, there were 8 libraries in operation in Arkansas serving a population of 1,574,449 people. Today there are 231 public libraries with 118 degreed librarians serving a population of 2.9 million people. The eight libraries include: Garland County Library, Van Buren Public Library, Clark County Library, Conway County Library, Clark County Library, Blytheville Public Library and the Eureka Springs Carnegie Library. AffiliationsThe Arkansas Library Association is a chapter of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Southeastern Library Association (SELA). It is represented in ALA and SELA by a councilor who is elected by the members of the Arkansas Library Association. ArLA Diversity StatementDiversity is a fundamental value of the Association and its members, and is reflected in its commitment to recruiting minorities and people with disabilities to the profession and to the promotion and development of library collections and services for all people. The Association endorses opportunities for the professional development and education of all library staff members and trustees; it promotes continuous, lifelong learning for all people through library and information services of every type. The Association advocates funding and policies that support libraries as great democratic institutions, serving people of every age, income level, location, ethnicity, or physical ability, and providing the full range of information resources needed to live, learn, govern, and work. |
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